Sotheby's Unveiled Major Impressionist Art Collection
The 12-piece collection, valued at over $450 million, features works by Van Gogh and Cézanne.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Fine Art
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Sotheby's has debuted a collection of 12 impressionist and modern paintings, including a Van Gogh valued at $180 million. The works, formerly owned by Nelly Arrieta de Blaquier, are expected to reach a total value exceeding $450 million.
Why it matters
The auction presents a rare opportunity to acquire high-value works, including one of only eight Van Gogh paintings from his time in Auvers that remains in private hands.
The collection includes a Van Gogh masterpiece valued at $180 million and Paul Cézanne's Harlequin at $150 million. These 12 works represent a significant assembly of impressionist history with a collective valuation topping $450 million.
The players
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is an international auction house that facilitates the sale of fine art and luxury objects.
Nelly Arrieta de Blaquier
Nelly Arrieta de Blaquier was a prominent art collector who previously owned the 12 impressionist and modern paintings.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who created many of the world's most influential and highly valued works of art.
Paul Cézanne
Paul Cézanne was a French artist and post-impressionist painter whose work laid the foundations for modern art.
The details
The 12-painting collection includes works by Cézanne, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, Sisley, Derain, Toulouse-Lautrec, and de Vlaminck. Before the final sale, the art will travel from its current display in London to exhibitions in Taipei, Hong Kong, and Paris.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: The collection went on display in London.
November 18, 2026: The collection will be auctioned in New York.
Industry Dynamics
The sale follows the pattern of the historical auction of private masterworks by bringing rare works back to the open market. This auction highlights the ongoing trend of major private estates liquidating significant impressionist and modern collections.
The public can view these works during the international tour before they are potentially sold into private collections indefinitely. This provides a limited window for art enthusiasts to see these pieces before they leave public display.
The takeaway
Collectors and art enthusiasts should track the international exhibition schedule to view these works while they are accessible to the public. The sale marks a major shift in the provenance of these impressionist pieces as they move from a private estate to new ownership.
What happens next
The auction is scheduled to take place on November 18, 2026, in New York.
Further reading
For more on the current market for historic paintings, explore the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Guardian.
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