When Faith Ringgold passed away in April 2024 at age 93, she left behind a legacy that transformed American art. Weeks later, the auction market paid tribute: her celebrated quilt "Dinner at Gertrude Stein's" from the French Collection series achieved $1,572,500 at Sotheby's – more than tripling her previous auction record.
The Work: American Art History Reimagined
"Dinner at Gertrude Stein's: The French Collection Part II, #10" (1991) depicts Stein hosting luminaries including James Baldwin and Ernest Hemingway, seated beneath her iconic Picasso portrait. Nearly seven feet in both directions, the quilted fabric work combines acrylic painting with pieced textiles – Ringgold's signature fusion of fine art and craft traditions.
The Market Response: Recognition Overdue
Sotheby's described it as one of Ringgold's "most important works." Bidding opened at $500,000 and quickly surpassed the $1 million high estimate. The final price – $1.57 million – exceeded the previous record of $461,000 (set in 2015) by 225%.
Legacy and Impact
Ringgold pioneered the story quilt as fine art medium, insisting that Black women's domestic traditions deserved museum walls. Her passing, followed immediately by this market recognition, underscores both how far we've come and how much was missed during her lifetime.
Future Market
With major works now in short supply, collectors should expect continued appreciation. Ringgold's historical importance – spanning Civil Rights, feminism, and craft reclamation – ensures lasting demand.