Until today, international auction house Christie's website remains offline after hackers shut it down last Thursday, May 9, just days before three monumental marquee sales are estimated to fetch a collective $840 million.
What Happened to Christie's Website?
By Friday, May 10, users visiting the auction house's website are redirected to a page with a plastered notice that reads: "Important Information: We apologize that our website is currently offline. We are working to resolve this as soon as possible and regret any inconvenience."
"To register your interest, or to bid, in an upcoming sale please use the contact details provided," it continued.
First covered by the New York Times, the breach was confirmed by Christie's spokesman Edward Lewine, who said: "We are taking all necessary steps to manage this matter, with the engagement of a team of additional technology experts."
Lewine further reassured Christie's users, saying, "We will provide further updates to our clients as appropriate."
As per the NY publication, a handful of collectors and art advisers first took notice of the issue on Thursday evening.
Still being down up until today could pose added challenges for a series of sales this coming week and it's not clear whether or not the hackers have access to sensitive information stored in the company's servers.
Upcoming Marquee Sales That Could be Affected
The auction house's busy set of days begins on Tuesday, May 14, with the sale of the Rosa de la Cruz collection, which is estimated to sell over $30 million across all of its lots according to Christie's press release.
Taking place on the same day, the 21st Century Evening Sale is even bigger as it is expected to rake in more than $100 million.
The sale is headlined by Brice Marden's "Event" (2004 - 2007) with its high estimate of $50 million and Jean-Michel Basquiat's "The Italian Version Of Popeye Has No Pork In His Diet" (1982) with its estimate exceeding $30 million.
Two days later, the house's 20th Century Evening Sale is the biggest of the trio of upcoming auctions, with Christie's expecting a high estimate of $500 million.
The auction's lots themself are populated with famous names like Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Georgia O'Keeffe, David Hockney, and Rene Magritte. That said, the top lot is Vincent van Gogh's "Coin de jardin avec papillons (1887) with an estimated price of $35 million.
