Sotheby's Will Auction Armand Hammer Art Collection
Twelve pieces from the private collection will go to auction this November to fund future arts education grants.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Fine Art
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Sotheby's announced the upcoming auction of twelve pieces from the private collection of Armand Hammer. The sale is scheduled to begin in New York in November 2026.
Why it matters
The Armand Hammer Foundation is auctioning these works to redirect proceeds toward supporting arts education and institutional grants. This shift marks a strategic move for the foundation to prioritize broader cultural access and development.
The twelve-piece collection is estimated to be worth between $25 million and $37 million. Sotheby's projects that Mary Cassatt's painting Summertime alone will exceed $10 million at the auction.
The players
Armand Hammer
He was a prominent American businessman and industrialist who assembled an extensive private art collection during his lifetime.
Armand Hammer Foundation
This private philanthropic organization manages the charitable assets and legacy initiatives established by Armand Hammer.
Sotheby's
Founded in 1744, this global auction house is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious brokers of fine art and luxury goods.
Mary Cassatt
She was an American painter and printmaker who spent much of her adult life in France and is known for her Impressionist works.
Edgar Degas
He was a celebrated French Impressionist artist renowned for his work in painting, sculpture, and drawing, particularly his depictions of dance.
The details
The collection features significant works, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Antibes and Edgar Degas' Trois danseuses (Jupes jaunes). A public preview of these works is being held at Sotheby's Los Angeles location.
Timeline
1894-1895: Mary Cassatt painted Summertime.
1899: Edgar Degas painted Trois danseuses.
1971: Armand Hammer purchased Summertime.
September 23-25, 2026: Public preview at Sotheby's Los Angeles.
November 2026: Auction sale begins in New York.
Industry Dynamics
The auction of the Armand Hammer collection follows the broader market trends established by the 2024 and 2025 record-breaking sales of works by Leonora Carrington and Frida Kahlo. These high-profile sales reflect the ongoing demand for blue-chip Impressionist and modern works within the international art market.
Potential buyers and art enthusiasts can view the twelve pieces in person during the public preview in Los Angeles. Following the preview, interested parties can participate in the auction scheduled for November in New York.
The takeaway
The sale of this collection represents a significant transfer of historical assets into the public philanthropic sector. Collectors and investors should monitor these results as indicators of current market health for late 19th-century Impressionist masterpieces.
Further reading
For more on the current market for historic works, visit the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Times.
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