The private art collection of the late media mogul Samuel Irving “S.I.” Newhouse Jr. is expected to surpass $1 billion in total value at the high-profile Christie’s auction on May 18, per nbcnews.com.
The upcoming sale of 16 seminal works, estimated at $450 million, follows previous divestments from the estate of the former Condé Nast chairman.
The auction’s centrepiece is a large-scale drip painting by Jackson Pollock, “Number 7A,” which marks the first time a work of this calibre from the artist has been offered at auction. Most similar Pollock pieces are currently held in museum permanent collections.
Another primary highlight is “Danaïde”, a rare golden sculpture by Constantin Brancusi. Experts value both the Pollock and Brancusi pieces at approximately $100 million each. The sale also features significant works by Pablo Picasso and Jasper Johns, reflecting Newhouse’s reputation for acquiring only the most definitive examples of modernism.
Victoria Newhouse, the publisher’s widow, confirmed the decision to sell was motivated by a desire to downsize her residence. She noted that her husband’s collecting style was defined by a relentless pursuit of quality, even when it required reacquiring works he had previously declined.
While the high-end art market has recently slowed, Christie’s anticipates significant global interest due to the collection’s provenance. If the sale meets expectations, the Newhouse estate will join the Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s collection as one of the most valuable single-owner archives ever sold.
S.I. Newhouse, who died in 2017 aged 89, was a titan of American media. He oversaw Advance Publications and Condé Nast, the parent company of titles including The New Yorker, Vogue and Vanity Fair. His approach to art reflected his business philosophy: a meticulous focus on acquiring the finest assets regardless of cost.
•Featured image: Publisher S.I. Newhouse Jr. on Nov. 8, 1990, at the New York Public Library/Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
