After two successful auctions that had broken several records, the third and last instalment of Paul Allen’s art collection sale will be held in May 2023. Conducted by Christie’s, the past auctions earned US$1.62 billion, and 155 masterpieces found new owners.
For this upcoming auction, a group of seven paintings will go under the hammer and is estimated to fetch more than US$30 million during Christie’s 20th-century art evening event in New York. Highlights include pieces from renowned artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, David Hockney and Edward Hopper.
Art collectors can look forward to owning artworks like “White Calico Rose” (1930) by O’Keeffe, alongside two others: “On the Old Santa Fe Road” (1930-1) and “Black Iris VI” (1936). Of the trio of masterpieces, “White Calico Rose” is expected to bring as much as US$8 million while the remaining two could potentially fetch US$6 million and US$7 million respectively.
Hockney’s “Felled Trees” (2008) is expected to bring in US$6 million, while his other two paintings like “The Gate” (2000) and “Early Blossom, Woldgate” (2009) could be sold for as much as US$8 million and US$7 million respectively.
Hopper’s watercolour painting, “Coast Guard Cove” 1929, is the final piece in the group of works being discussed. It is expected to be sold for a price range of US$600,000 to US$800,000.
In the accompanying press release for the auction, Johanna Flaum, Christie’s vice chairman of 20th- and 21th-century art shared: “This deeply personal group offers an additional and in-depth look at Mr Allen’s interest and taste, specifically for David Hockney and Georgia O’Keeffe.
“The works also illustrate his lifelong connection to New Mexico—from the state’s stunning vistas and rich cultural history to where Microsoft was founded in 1975.”
The late co-founder of Microsoft had supported several artists based in New Mexico, including O’Keeffe. In fact, he acquired O’Keeffe’s previous residence in Santa Fe, called the Sol y Sombra estate in 2000. This property is now up for sale for a price of US$15 million.
As with the last sale in November, all proceeds from the auctions will be donated to charities that Allen had designated prior to his death.
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