In the vibrant art scene of Los Angeles, Hughes Auctions is a trusted partner for collectors, artists, art consultants, and estate attorneys. With decades of experience in the fine art secondary market, we’ve established ourselves as the go-to platform for art auctions in Los Angeles, offering comprehensive services that bridge the gap between exceptional artwork and discerning buyers.
At Hughes, we specialize in art liquidation services that help estates, businesses, and individuals convert valuable collections into immediate capital. Our experienced team of art liquidators provides professional assessments, ensuring you receive fair values for your pieces. Whether you’re downsizing, settling an estate, or restructuring your investment portfolio, our art liquidation expertise ensures a stress-free process from appraisal to final sale.
Our online art auctions make it exceptionally easy for collectors to interact with the art market, providing global reach while maintaining the personalized service of a boutique auction house. Through our secure digital platform, bidders worldwide can participate in our curated auctions featuring everything from contemporary works to rare antiquities.
For those looking to consign artwork, our art consignment services in Los Angeles offer attention to detail and take a truly comprehensive approach for handing estates and collections. Our consignment professionals work closely with sellers to determine optimal pricing strategies, marketing approaches, and timing to maximize returns. With Hughes Auctions, your cherished pieces find their perfect homes while you enjoy the benefits of our extensive buyer network.
Fern Isabel Coppedge (1883-1951) Oil on Canvas
Why Choose Hughes for Art Auctions in Los Angeles?
Our reputation within the Los Angeles art community has been built on trust, transparency, and results. Local galleries, estates, and private collectors consistently choose Hughes Auctions for our personalized approach to each project.
Our specialized focus on Los Angeles and California artists sets us apart in the regional market. From the California Impressionists to the Light and Space movement, from the Ferus Gallery artists to contemporary rising stars, our team possesses unparalleled insight into the nuances of West Coast artistic developments. This regional expertise was highlighted during our California Riveria Auction series, where works by Peter Voulkos, Victor Vasarely, Peter Shire, Doyle Lane, Corita Kent, David Cressey, Emil Kosa, Jr, Erwin Binder, Karl Stanley Benjamin, among many others, achieved exceptional results. Our regional expertise was also showcased in our recent California & Western Art Auction, which featured plein air landscapes by Edgar Alwin Payne, Christian Emil Siemer, Conrad Buff, William Ballantine Dorsey, Joe Duncan Gleason, Maurice Braun, and Louis Hovey Sharp, among many others. The tremendous success of this auction helped introduce a new generation of collectors to this significant period in California art history.
While our regional knowledge runs deep, our expertise extends globally across centuries of art history. Our seasoned specialists confidently handle everything from 17th Century Dutch masterworks to American Hudson River School landscapes. This breadth of knowledge allows us to contextualize California art within the broader international market, creating unique value for both buyers and sellers.
Our trusted position within the Los Angeles art community has been earned through decades of thoughtfully approaching each project and transparent transactions. When you choose Hughes Auctions, you’re partnering with Los Angeles' most knowledgeable team of fine art specialists and auction experts – specialists who understand the rich artistic heritage of California while maintaining global perspective across four centuries of art history.
James Turrell (b. 1943) Oil on Canvas
Art Liquidation Services
Hughes Auctions specializes in comprehensive art liquidation services for estates, downsizing, corporate collections, and gallery closures. Our liquidation process begins with a thorough, no-obligation assessment conducted by our expert appraisers who evaluate each piece based on current market conditions, provenance, condition, and aesthetic appeal. This meticulous approach ensures accurate valuations that maximize returns while providing realistic timeframes for completion.
Our liquidation services include complete collection management—from professional photography and detailed cataloging to secure transportation and climate-controlled storage. For larger estates, we offer phased liquidation strategies that thoughtfully time the market introduction of significant pieces to prevent saturation and ensure optimal pricing. Our team handles all aspects of the process, including authentication, condition reports, and targeted marketing to qualified collectors.
Hughes Auctions' approach to art liquidation emphasizes efficiency without sacrificing value. While many liquidators focus solely on quick turnover, our balanced methodology prioritizes both timely resolution and maximum financial return. This approach has made us the trusted art liquidators for attorneys, trustees, and executors throughout Southern California, particularly for collections requiring careful handling and market expertise.
Ynez Johnston
(California, 1920-2019)
An influential California-born artist whose unique style blended modernism with ancient art forms from her global travels, creating intricate works across multiple media including painting, printmaking, and three-dimensional pieces. Her distinguished career was marked by exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and her works being collected by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Art Consignment Services in Los Angeles
Hughes Auctions offers premium art consignment services tailored to artists, collectors, and galleries throughout Los Angeles. Our consignment process begins with a personal consultation to understand your goals, timeframe, and valuation expectations. Each consigned piece undergoes professional evaluation, condition assessment, and market analysis to determine optimal pricing strategy and reserve values.
Consigning with Hughes Auctions provides numerous advantages. Our consignors benefit from comprehensive marketing campaigns that include targeted email promotions, social media exposure, and featured placement in our monthly auction previews. We handle all aspects of the sales process, from professional photography and detailed provenance research to secure handling and final delivery.
The consignment process follows these straightforward steps:
- Initial consultation and preliminary valuation
- Signing of consignment agreement with transparent fee structure
- Intake, condition reporting, and professional photography
- Strategic placement in upcoming auctions
- Comprehensive pre-auction marketing
- Auction execution with live online bidding
- Prompt payment processing
Our art consignment services in Los Angeles offer flexible terms to accommodate different needs, whether you're an artist seeking broader exposure, a collector refining your holdings, or an estate executor liquidating a significant collection.
Conrad Buff
(1886-1975)
Serigraph on Paper, American Southwest
Fernand Harvey Lungren
(1857-1932)
Watercolor, Canon of the Colorado, Arizona, 1894
How to Participate in Our Online Art Auctions
Participating in Hughes Auctions' online art auctions is straightforward and accessible for both first-time and experienced collectors. Buyers begin by creating a free account on our secure platform, which allows browsing of current and upcoming auctions, setting favorites, and receiving personalized alerts. Our online catalog provides high-resolution images, detailed condition reports, provenance information, and estimated values for each piece.
Registered bidders can place advance bids before the auction begins or participate in real-time during our scheduled events. Our intuitive bidding interface displays current bid amounts, your maximum bid, and time remaining. Successful buyers receive immediate purchase confirmations with detailed instructions for payment and in-house shipping or local pickup options.
Our hybrid auction format combines the energy of live events with the convenience of online participation, ensuring maximum exposure and competitive bidding for consigned artwork. Whether you're bidding from across Los Angeles or across the world, our online art auctions provide a transparent, secure, and engaging platform for discovering and acquiring exceptional artwork from the comfort of your home or office.
Bruce Beasley
(b. 1939)
Cast Bronze Sculpture, Bateleur Ed. 1/9
Parviz Kalantari
(1931-2016)
Oil on Canvas
Toots Zynsky
(b. 1951)
Fused Glass Sculpture, Coupe
Kathleen Parks Adkison
(1917-2010)
Oil on Canvas
Featured Categories of Artwork
Hughes Auctions proudly presents a diverse selection of fine art across numerous categories and periods. Our carefully curated auctions regularly feature:
Fine Art Paintings: Including oil, acrylic, and mixed media works from established and emerging artists, with particular strength in California and Los Angeles based artists
Modern and Contemporary Art: Showcasing significant works from post-war movements through current trends, including abstract expressionism, pop art, and digital creations
Sculptures and Three-Dimensional Works: Featuring pieces in bronze, marble, wood, glass, ceramic, and mixed media from classical to avant-garde styles
Works on Paper: Including limited edition prints, lithographs, etchings, serigraphs, and original drawings from notable artists
Photography: Presenting vintage and contemporary photographic works, with special emphasis on Los Angeles photographers and documentary collections
Decorative Arts: Offering exceptional examples of artistic furniture, ceramics, and design objects that bridge fine art and functional aesthetics
Each auction is thoughtfully assembled to represent quality across price points, allowing both new collectors and established connoisseurs to discover pieces that resonate with their artistic vision and investment goals.
Jules Engel
(Hungary/California, 1909-2003)
A multifaceted Hungarian artist who worked as a filmmaker, painter, sculptor, animator, and educator, eventually founding the experimental animation program at the California Institute of the Arts where he mentored generations of animators. After immigrating to the United States at age thirteen, he worked at Walt Disney Studios on iconic films like Fantasia and Bambi before leaving during the Disney animators' strike, later establishing himself as an influential figure in animation education until his death.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I consign my artwork in Los Angeles?
Consigning with Hughes Auctions begins with a simple inquiry through our website or by calling our Los Angeles office. We'll schedule an initial consultation to evaluate your artwork and discuss our consignment terms. Once you decide to proceed, we handle all aspects of the process, from transportation and cataloging to marketing and final sale.
What types of art can I auction online?
Hughes Auctions accepts a wide range of fine art, including paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, mixed media, and decorative arts. We specialize in works from established artists with auction history, though we also showcase emerging talents with strong market potential. Each piece is evaluated individually based on authenticity, condition, aesthetic quality, and market demand.
How does the art liquidation process work?
Our art liquidation services begin with a comprehensive assessment of your collection. For estates or large holdings, we develop a strategic liquidation plan that may include auction consignment or a cash offer. Our team handles all logistics, from inventory and appraisal to marketing and final settlement, providing a turnkey solution for complex liquidation needs.
What are your commission rates for art consignments?
Hughes Auctions offers competitive commission structures based on the value and volume of consigned items. We provide transparent fee schedules after initial consultations, with no hidden costs or surprise charges.
How do you determine the value of artwork for auction?
Our valuation process combines multiple approaches, including recent auction comparables, gallery pricing for similar works, artist market trends, condition assessment, provenance research, and aesthetic quality. For significant pieces, we may consult with specialized experts to ensure accurate estimates that attract serious bidders while protecting consignor interests.
Can I set a reserve price for my consigned artwork?
Yes, Hughes Auctions works with consignors to establish appropriate reserve prices—the confidential minimum amount at which your item can sell. We provide guidance based on market realities to set reserves that protect your interests while encouraging competitive bidding.
How long does the entire auction process take?
From initial consignment to final payment, the typical timeline ranges from 6-10 weeks. This includes approximately 2-3 weeks for intake, cataloging and marketing preparation, 2-4 weeks of pre-auction exposure, the auction event itself, and payment processing within 35 business days after successful sale.
Do you pay cash for art?
Yes, we purchase art collections if receiving immediate payment is better suited to your needs. Please contact us today to tell us more about project.