A trove of valuable artworks covering 500 years of history will be sold in November from what Christie's auction house described only as a "distinguished private collector." That's a somewhat modest description. The seller is arguably the most famous living artist in the world — Jeff Koons, according to two auction experts with knowledge of the deal who were not authorized to speak officially.
Over the last few decades, Koons, who is 71, has assembled a small collection of artworks, mostly in his Upper East Side townhouse. He is now selling nine paintings by artists like Picasso, Manet and the Dutch Golden Age painter Cornelis van Haarlem. The collection is estimated to sell above $100 million, according to Christie's, which declined to publicly identify the consignor.
Alex Rotter, Christie's global president, called it "a vision" that "is not pedestrian." Koons declined to comment. Rotter said that a 1969 Picasso called "Le Baiser" would be the top lot, in the range of $40 million. Koons bought the Picasso painting in 2008 at a Sotheby's auction for $17.4 million.
A person close to the Christie's deal said Koons's motivation was to invest back into his art practice. The auction, on Nov. 17, is entitled "Heroes and Lovers."
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing