Just when the auction houses have been emphasizing private sales as the futures of their business, Carol Vogel reports that Sotheby’s has just lost their head of private sales:

Stephane C. Connery, who has been one of Sotheby’s biggest rainmakers, significantly increasing the company profits as worldwide director of its private sales, has resigned. He plans to start dealing privately.

“I’ve always hoped to see if I could stand on my own two feet, and after 20 years at Sotheby’s, I think the time has finally come,” Mr. Connery said.

Inside Art: Resignation at Sotheby’s (New York Times)