The sale of the estate of billionaire banker David Rockefeller, the youngest son of American philanthropist John D Rockefeller Jr, is expected to surpass the current record for a single-owner collection which was set by the Yves Saint Laurent sale eight years ago when it achieved $443m.
Christie’s will auction more than 2000 items from the estate, making it the largest charitable auction ever.
Rockefeller (1915-2017) died in March and was the last surviving grandson of Standard Oil baron John D Rockefeller Snr – the US’s first billionaire.
With his wife Peggy he collected a range of artists including heavyweights in the impressionist and modern market such as Paul Cezanne and post-war artists such as Willem de Kooning.
The sale will include paintings, English and European furniture, Asian works of art, European ceramics and Chinese export porcelain, silver, and American decorative arts and furniture.
Highlights of the sale will be taken on tour around the world later this year ahead of the auction.
Charities and Foundations
Proceeds will be donated to a number of charities and foundations including Harvard University, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, David Rockefeller Fund and Rockefeller University.
David Rockefeller, Jr. said: “We are proud to fulfill my father’s wish to share with the world the art and objects he and my mother collected over a lifetime together, and use them as means to continue the long legacy of Rockefeller family philanthropy first established by John D. Rockefeller.”
Christie’s CEO Guillaume Cerutti, said: “The Rockefeller family name is indelibly linked with arts, culture, business, and philanthropy around the world – and it is a fitting tribute that the auctions will be held at Christie’s New York in the heart of Rockefeller Center.”
