Editor’s Note
The fall art auction season in New York has commenced, with Christie’s leading the opening day. This article spotlights the sale of the Weis Collection, a significant private collection assembled by Robert F. and Patricia G. Ross Weis, which formed the centerpiece of today’s event.
The fall art auction week in New York kicked off today, starting with Christie’s. Prior to the auctions, each auction house displayed the works to be offered for public viewing.
The highlight of today’s auction at Christie’s New York was the Weis Collection (The Collection of Robert F. and Patricia G. Ross Weis).
The Weis Collection was assembled by Robert F. Weis, the son of the founder and former CEO of Weis Market, a supermarket chain primarily based in Pennsylvania, and his wife. It consists of remarkable works by renowned 20th-century artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Rothko. As the works were never loaned to museums, the collection was packed with stunning pieces and became a major focus of attention.
The highest-priced lot, fetching $62.2 million, was this Rothko work characterized by very bright colors.
A 1932 Picasso work depicting Marie-Thérèse Walter sold for $45.5 million.
This Mondrian work sold for $23.1 million.
In the subsequent 20th Century Evening Sale, a group of works from Japan’s DIC Kawamura Memorial Museum, which ceased operations this year, made a significant impact.
Monet’s Water Lilies became the top lot of the 20th Century Evening Sale, selling for $45.5 million.
There were various other works from the DIC Kawamura Memorial Museum. This large Chagall work sold for $26.5 million. Although its estimate was $8-12 million, it proved extremely popular and sold for more than double the expected price.
The smaller Chagall work sold for $10.5 million.
A Renoir work sold for $10.4 million. This was also a consignment from the DIC Kawamura Memorial Museum.
Following Monet’s Water Lilies, the next highest-priced work was this Hockney, which sold for $44.3 million.
This work by Fernand Léger sold for $19.6 million.
Although it was an auction of 20th-century works, a painting by J.M.W. Turner also appeared, selling for $11.9 million.
The evening auction on November 19th will feature Contemporary Art.
Works by Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, and Christopher Wool will also be presented.
Contemporary art viewings will continue tomorrow and the day after, so it might be interesting for those interested to take a look.
Tomorrow, Sotheby’s New York will hold an auction featuring a notable Klimt work among others.