Skip to main content You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close First Up First Up: An Indigenous archeologist helps bring First Nations ancestors home Close Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s ‘En Canon (Jeune fille a la barque)’ is displayed during a preview of the Blaquier-Arrieta Collection, a group of twelve Impressionist and Modern works which have been largely unseen for half a century, at Sotheby’s in London.
If you’ve ever daydreamed about owning a piece of art that could buy you a small island (or at least a decent-sized house), then mark your calendars for November 18th. Sotheby’s is hosting an auction that features a dazzling collection of twelve Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces, and the total estimated value? A jaw-dropping $450 million. Yes, you read that right—four hundred fifty million dollars. That’s enough to make even the wealthiest art collectors sweat a little.
This auction is particularly exciting because it includes works by two of the heavyweights of the art world: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. If you’re wondering why these names ring a bell, it’s because they’re basically the rockstars of the painting world. Van Gogh, with his swirling skies and vibrant sunflowers, and Cézanne, the father of modern art with his unique brush strokes, are artists whose works have been hidden from view for decades. We’re talking about paintings that have been tucked away in a private collection by the late Argentine art collectors Nelly Arrieta de Blaquier and Carlos Pedro Blaquier. They held onto these gems for so long that they could almost be considered family heirlooms.
Now, why should you care? Well, for one, it’s not every day that you get the chance to bid on pieces that haven’t seen the light of day for over 50 years. Imagine the stories these paintings could tell—if only they could talk and weren’t just, you know, inanimate objects. The auction house officials are buzzing with excitement, predicting that this sale could potentially break records for both Van Gogh and Cézanne. If you’re an art aficionado (or just someone with a really generous trust fund), this could be your moment to shine.
One of the standout pieces is rumored to be a Van Gogh painting that could fetch upwards of $180 million. That’s a number that makes you wonder if you should start a GoFundMe page for your art collection dreams or just keep daydreaming about it while scrolling through Instagram. Let’s be real, though: owning a Van Gogh is the kind of bragging rights that could make you the most popular person at any dinner party. “Oh, this old thing? Just a little something I picked up at Sotheby’s.” Cue the collective gasps.
And let’s not overlook Cézanne, who is often credited with laying the groundwork for modern art. If you’re into still lifes and landscapes that challenge the ordinary, his works are the perfect conversation starters. You can almost hear your friends saying, “Oh, I just love how he plays with color!” while you nod knowingly, trying to remember the last time you actually painted anything that didn’t involve finger paints.
The auction will take place in New York City, the epicenter of art, culture, and overpriced coffee. So, if you’re planning to attend, be prepared to rub shoulders with some of the richest and most influential people in the art world. Or, you know, just watch from the sidelines in awe while munching on overpriced hors d’oeuvres.
In conclusion, whether you’re a seasoned collector or just someone who appreciates the beauty of art (and has a spare $450 million lying around), this auction is not to be missed. It’s a chance to witness history in the making—who knows, maybe you’ll even walk away with a masterpiece. Just be sure to dress the part; you don’t want to show up in sweatpants when you’re bidding on a piece of history. Happy bidding!
Inspired by: “Works by van Gogh and Cézanne up for sale in Sotheby’s $450 million auction” (r/News)