World's top auction houses cancel Russian art sales in London

A bidder raises a paddle to place a bid at a Sotheby's art auction. Sotheby's said it had called off its sale of Russian art in London in June. Photo: AFP

Auction houses Christie's, Sotheby's and Bonhams have cancelled sales of Russian art in London in June, part of the art market's response to Western sanctions on Russia as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine.

The auction houses hold sales of Russian art in June and November in a period known as "Russian Art Week", attracting wealthy Russian buyers.