“Visionary: The Paul G. Allen Collection” will be offered at Christie’s in New York, with all proceeds going to philanthropic causes, the auction house said.
Cézanne’s “La Montagne Sainte-Victoire” has a sale estimate of more than $100 million. Credit: Paul G. Allen Estate
Spanning 500 years of art history, the sale will include Paul Cézanne’s painting “La Montagne Sainte-Victoire,” which is expected to fetch more than $100 million, and Jasper Johns’ “Small False Start,” which has an estimate of over $50 million.
“The inspirational figure of Paul Allen, the extraordinary quality and diversity of works, and the dedication of all proceeds to philanthropy, create a unique combination that will make the sale of the Paul G. Allen Collection an event of unprecedented magnitude,” said Christie’s CEO, Guillaume Cerutti.
Paul Allen, pictured here on October 14, 2012, wished all proceeds from the sale of his collection to go to philanthropic causes. Credit: Elaine Thompson/AP
Jody Allen, Paul Allen’s sister and executor, said in a press statement that, to her brother, art was “both analytical and emotional.”
“He believed that art expressed a unique view of reality — combining the artist’s inner state and inner eye — in a way that can inspire us all. His collection reflects the diversity of his interests, with their own mystique and beauty.”
Jasper Johns’ “Small False Start” could sell for over $50 million. Credit: Paul G. Allen Estate
After spending several decades assembling his collection, Allen lent works to museums around the world. He also mounted exhibitions of highlights of his collection — for example, the 2016 “Seeing Nature” exhibition, which showcased 39 important landscape paintings.