On the eve of the opening of America’s most important art fair, Page Six has learned that auction giant Sotheby’s has axed a slew of top executives.

In a move that’s the talk of the pre-Art Basel parties in Miami, we’re told the auction house has fired between a half-dozen and a dozen top corporate executives. Also on the chopping block is beloved specialist Augie Uribe, who first joined Sotheby’s in 1991, before moving briefly to rival Phillips and returning in 2017. Rumors of Uribe’s ouster were circulating at Vanity Fair’s party for the Rubell Museum opening on Tuesday night. “He’s very well-liked in the industry,” said one arty source.

Sotheby’s insiders said that the cuts are related to the sale of the auction house to a private group headed by art collector Patrick Drahi. Sotheby’s had been a public company before it was bought in June. Sources said that the staff who were leaving the company — aside from Uribe — held positions that public companies usually employ, but that private companies don’t need.

Meanwhile, we’re told Sotheby’s staff were seen arriving in Miami for Art Basel. Sotheby’s declined to comment.