Prominent contemporary artist George Condo has made a significant move in the art world by switching gallery representation from Hauser & Wirth to a joint arrangement with Sprüth Magers and Skarstedt. The announcement marks the end of Condo's six-year relationship with Hauser & Wirth, which began representing the acclaimed painter in late 2019.
Condo's decision to return to his former galleries reflects deep historical connections spanning decades. His relationship with Sprüth Magers dates back to 1984, when he first exhibited with Monika Sprüth just one year after she opened her gallery. Sprüth later merged with dealer Philomene Magers in 1998 to form the current Sprüth Magers partnership. Meanwhile, Condo was represented by Skarstedt from 2004 until 2019, when he initially moved to Hauser & Wirth.
Monika Sprüth expressed her enthusiasm about reuniting with the artist in an official statement, saying, "It has been an honor to work with George Condo since he was an artist just starting out in the early 1980s, and to support his career as it has flourished over the years. His first exhibition at Galerie Monika Sprüth in 1984, one of the gallery's first shows, cemented his position as a groundbreaking painter not just in New York but as part of the international art scene."
During his tenure with Hauser & Wirth, Condo maintained strong ties with his former galleries. His most recent exhibition was actually a collaborative two-venue show running from January to April 2025, displayed simultaneously at Hauser & Wirth's new SoHo location and Sprüth Magers' Upper East Side space. Iwan Wirth, founder and president of Hauser & Wirth, graciously acknowledged the transition, stating, "George Condo is a remarkable artist, and it has been a privilege to work with him over the past six years. I am deeply proud of all we've achieved together, and we will continue to celebrate George's every success."
Condo has established himself as one of today's most sought-after blue-chip artists, known for his distinctive portraits that masterfully blend various art historical references. His work synthesizes influences ranging from 17th-century Dutch painting and early 20th-century movements like Cubism and Surrealism to postwar Pop art. A typical Condo exhibition might feature references to masters including Picasso, Matisse, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Willem de Kooning, and Francis Bacon. Beyond his celebrated paintings, Condo also creates works on paper and sculptures.
The artist's market performance demonstrates his exceptional commercial appeal. His current auction record stands at $6.8 million, achieved when his 2010 painting "Force Field" sold at Christie's Hong Kong in 2020. This surpassed his previous record of $6.2 million for "Nude and Forms" (2014) at Christie's New York in 2018. More recently, "Prescription for the Clinically Normal" (2012) sold for $6.2 million at Christie's Hong Kong in September 2024. Even his works on paper command impressive prices, with pieces from his 2025 "Pastels" exhibition priced between $600,000 and $1.5 million.
Recent sales activity highlights Condo's strong market presence across multiple galleries. At Art Basel Paris, Hauser & Wirth sold "Femme de Monaco" for $1.85 million during the exclusive Avant Première event and later sold "Multicolored Female Composition" (2016) for $4.5 million. At the same fair, Sprüth Magers successfully sold three Condo works: two priced at $1.8 million each and another for $1.2 million. Additional recent sales include a 2025 "Head Composition" for $200,000 at Frieze London and two works for $2.45 million each at Art Basel Switzerland.
Condo's institutional recognition matches his commercial success. He is currently the subject of a major retrospective at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, which opened in conjunction with Art Basel Paris and runs through February 2026. His exhibition history includes significant shows at prestigious institutions such as the National Museum Monaco (2023), the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. (2017), Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (2016), Tate Modern (2015), and the New Museum (2011).
Sprüth concluded her statement by emphasizing the significance of this reunion: "The major solo exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, which just opened this month, is a testament to the breadth of his practice and to his prominent position in contemporary painting. It is a pleasure to be joining forces again with Per Skarstedt to represent George Condo at this exciting moment for the artist." This gallery change positions Condo with two powerhouse dealers as he continues to cement his legacy in contemporary art history.
