Days before its much-anticipated spring auctions, Christie’s auction house has faced a serious cyberattack, rendering its website inoperative. Observers of the art market noticed the issue late on Thursday, May 9, with the website, by the next morning, redirecting visitors to a temporary page. This page provides contact numbers for Christie’s offices globally, including locations in London, New York, Paris, and Hong Kong, alongside a general communication email.
A placeholder statement on the website informs visitors, "We apologize that our website is currently offline. We are urgently working to rectify this issue and regret any inconvenience caused. To express interest or place bids in upcoming auctions, please refer to the contact details listed."
Christie’s was reserved about the specifics of the cyberattack, refraining from disclosing any potential exposure of client data or a definitive timeline for restoring the website.
Christie's American branch at Rockefeller Center in New York, credit : Leonard J. DeFrancisci via Wikipedia
The spokesperson confirmed, “Christie’s is currently addressing a significant technology security concern that has affected several of our systems, including our main website. We have engaged a team of top cybersecurity experts to help manage and resolve the situation. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our clients. Our main focus is to minimize any additional disruptions, and we will keep our clients updated as the situation evolves.”
This incident has occurred just as collectors, advisers, and art dealers are preparing for next week’s significant auctions in New York. Notable pieces include Claude Monet’s 1888 "Moulin de Limetz," anticipated to fetch as much as $25 million, and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s 1982 work "The Italian Version of Popeye has no Pork in his Diet," expected to go for around $30 million. Additionally, Christie’s will manage the sale of items from the collection of influential Miami-based collectors Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz following Rosa’s passing in February.
Jean Dubreil