Christie's announces addition of seven paintings from Paul Allen collection to upcoming auction in May.
A last batch of paintings from late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s collection will be auctioned in May at Christie’s New York, six months after the first Allen two auctions in November netted $1.6 billion (including fees), making it the most costly art collection ever sold at auction.
The seven artworks will be auctioned off as part of Christie’s spring marquee week in New York, and are projected to bring more than $30 million. Three works by David Hockney, three by Georgia O’Keeffe, and one by Edward Hopper are included in the exhibition.
O’Keeffe’s painting White Calico Rose (1930) is likely to get up to $8 million, while her work On the Old Santa Fe Road (1930-31) is expected to fetch up to $6 million. Black Iris VI (1936) is also expected to bring up to $7 million. Allen, who died in 2018, was an admirer of O’Keeffe’s work. He paid $12.5 million for her previous house, Sol y Sombra, and its 20-acre plot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2000. The mansion was relisted in 2021 for $22.6 million, but the asking price has subsequently been reduced to $15 million.
Hockney’s The Gate (2000) might buy $8 million, and Early Blossom, Woldgate (2009) could fetch up to $7 million. His Felled Trees (2008) is expected to earn up to $6 million. Coast Guard Cove (1929) by Edward Hopper is estimated to sell for between $600,000 and $800,000 (it previously sold for little over $1 million, including fees, at Sotheby’s in 2014).
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Christie’s sold 155 paintings from Allen’s collection last year, totaling $1.62 billion and setting 27 new auction records, including for canonical painters Georges Seurat, Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Gustav Klimt. During the November auctions, O’Keeffe’s White Rose with Larkspur No. I (1887-86) brought in $26.7 million (including fees), while Hockey’s Winter Timber (2009) brought in $23.3 million (with fees). Only months before, Linda and Harry Macklowe’s collection sold for $922.2 million across two auctions at Sotheby’s New York.
According to a Christie’s spokesperson, the seven paintings will be the final pieces from Allen’s collection to be auctioned. As with the sales in November, Allen’s estate will send the earnings to philanthropies in accordance with his desires, according to the spokesperson, though particular charities or causes have not been disclosed.