Leon Kossoff's Auction Record Jumps 275%

3 min read · 04 Mar 2026

Children’s Swimming Pool, 11 o’clock Saturday Morning, August. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Leon Kossoff, Children’s Swimming Pool, 11 o’clock Saturday Morning, August (1969) sold for $6.99m (GBP5.21m), more than eight and a half times the low estimate at Sotheby's in London on March 4. The oil on board work has been traded 3 times in the past.

The sale beat the artist’s previous auction record by $5.2m, a 275% rise.

Willesden Junction - Autumn Afternoon (1971). Sold for $1.79m in 2018. Image courtesy of Christie's

A Street In Willesden (1985). Sold for $1.09m in 2011. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Between Kilburn & Willesden Green Winter Evening No.3 (1992). Sold for $714,900 in 2011. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Kings Cross, March Afternoon (1998). Sold for $690,300 in 2010. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Red Brick School Building, Willesden, Spring (1981). Sold for $583,600 in 2008. Image courtesy of Christie's

Children's swimming pool 12 o'clock Sunday morning September (1971). Sold for $468,600 in 2001. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Portrait of Philip II (Undated). Sold for $232,800 in 1989. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Dalston Junction with Ridley Road Street Market and Salmon Curer's Yard (Undated). Sold for $107,200 in 1987. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Willesden Junction - Autumn Afternoon (1971). Sold for $1.79m in 2018. Image courtesy of Christie's

The previous record was set by Willesden Junction - Autumn Afternoon (1971), which sold for $1.79m at Christie's on November 19, 2018. The work had been traded 3 times in the past.

Sale Date	Title	Price	Record Increase	Venue	City
March 04, 2026	Children’s Swimming Pool, 11 o’clock Saturday Morning, August	$6.99m	291 %	Sotheby's	London
November 19, 2018	Willesden Junction - Autumn Afternoon	$1.79m	64 %	Christie's	London
October 13, 2011	A Street In Willesden	$1.09m	52 %	Sotheby's	London
June 29, 2011	Between Kilburn & Willesden Green Winter Evening No.3	$714,900	4 %	Sotheby's	London
June 28, 2010	Kings Cross, March Afternoon	$690,300	18 %	Sotheby's	London
October 19, 2008	Red Brick School Building, Willesden, Spring	$583,600	25 %	Christie's	London
February 07, 2001	Children's swimming pool 12 o'clock Sunday morning September	$468,600	58 %	Sotheby's	London
December 03, 1992	Children’s Swimming Pool, 11 o’clock Saturday Morning, August	$297,400	28 %	Sotheby's	London
June 29, 1989	Portrait of Philip II	$232,800	117 %	Sotheby's	London
November 11, 1987	Dalston Junction with Ridley Road Street Market and Salmon Curer's Yard	$107,200	21 %	Sotheby's	London
December 04, 1986	Portrait of Philip Kossoff I	$88,600	252 %	Sotheby's	London
December 05, 1985	York Way Railway Bridge from Caledonian Road Winter 1966-7	$25,100	-	Sotheby's	London

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Leon Kossoff

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