Christie’s Has Revealed 15 Masterpieces for Sale From Paul Allen’s Art Collection (Seattle: consignment)

[homesinseattle]

Article link here: https://news.artnet.com/market/chris...80579/amp-page

“A few weeks after revealing that it had won the consignment of what will likely be the most expensive collection the art market has ever seen at auction, Christie’s rolled out more than a dozen additional highlights.

The collection in question hails from late Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Paul Allen, and counts a total of roughly 150 works that are expected to fetch an unprecedented $1 billion in two separate live auctions starting November 9. The sales will offer a “comprehensive study of the art-historical canon,” according to a statement from Christie’s.

The unveiling of the collection has been more guarded and drawn out than any in recent memory. The initial announcement included two highlights: a $100 million-plus Paul Cézanne landscape and a $50 million Jasper Johns painting.

Since then, the art world has been guessing (and scouring old museum catalogues) to find out what else in Allen’s star-studded collection made the cut. Now, the specifics on 15 more works have been revealed, with most of the works with “estimate on request” prices going well into nosebleed market territory”.

[jabogitlu]

Very cool. So many of these artists' pieces almost never sell. Will be interesting to see the results.

[xPlorer48]

That is some astounding world class art. I hope whoever the purchasers are that they will have state of the art museum quality displays and will either be open to the public or on rotating loan to museums as Paul Allen did.

[chadnewt]

This outcome is sad. The Paul Allen Foundation should have donated the collection to the Seattle Art Museum. They are lacking many of these masters, and certainly don't have a billion dollars to buy them all at auction. Generous philanthropy is the only way a young city like Seattle can build a substantial museum collection.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by chadnewt

This outcome is sad. The Paul Allen Foundation should have donated the collection to the Seattle Art Museum. They are lacking many of these masters, and certainly don't have a billion dollars to buy them all at auction. Generous philanthropy is the only way a young city like Seattle can build a substantial museum collection.

Completely agree.

[Arcos]

I guess it depends on what they do with the money. If they use it for what I see their mission statement supports, then a sale versus a donation is pretty defensible.