In the spring 2026 auctions, the Islamic and Middle Eastern art market showed signs of resilience, although this resilience was not evenly distributed across all segments. While classical Islamic art largely maintained its position, the Middle Eastern contemporary art segment came under growing structural pressure, driven by the combined effects of geopolitical tensions, intensifying sanctions, and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. This ArtTactic report, drawing on data from Sotheby’s and Christie’s April 2026 auctions, examines the underlying drivers of this emerging divergence and assesses its implications for the future trajectory of the Islamic and Middle Eastern art market.