Sunday, March 14, 2010

More Works from Crichton’s Art Collection to be Auctioned Off


In a March 2, 2010 press release Christie’s announced that more works from Michael Crichton’s art collection are going to be auctioned off. A public exhibition of 50 of these works was on display at Christie’s Los Angeles Galleries from March 5 through March 12. The exhibit included works by Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Claes Oldenburg, Pablo Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney. (The press release contains images of eight of the works from Crichton’s collection.)

Photos of the exhibit can be viewed at Christie's Press Preview and “Michael Crichton Knows Art”.

Brett Gorvy, Deputy Chairman of Christie's Americas, said in the press release:
“Michael was the rarest breed of collector: a Renaissance man in every sense, whose passion for art was fueled by his search for answers to the basic tenets of art. In the same way Michael challenged accepted scientific dogma, he continually challenged his own understanding of an artist or work of art. He became intimate friends with artists and responded as a creative equal to their own searches and challenges.”


One of Crichton’s friendships was with David Hockney, who made a portrait of Crichton in 1976. The portrait was sold at auction for $650 in 2004.

Christie's spokesperson Sung-Hee Park, quoted in an article by Lee Rosenbaum, said the Crichton consignment consists of about 97 works---approximately 30 in the May evening contemporary sale; 48 grouped in their own section of the May day sale for less important contemporary works; 14 in the Apr. 26 prints sale; 5 in the Apr. 15 photographs sale.

According to a Los Angeles Times article, the 97 pieces to be auctioned off “represent approximately 80% of Crichton's art collection.”

Related Posts:
Paintings from Crichton’s Art Collection to be Auctioned Off

The Four Paintings from Crichton’s Collection

Links and more info on Michael Crichton at:
Kahlessa's Corner

6 comments:

Narayan said...

but why are they auctioning these collections.
Is the estate of Mr. Crichton so bad in need of money. Will the Crichton legacy be preserved.

Marla Warren said...

I’m sure Michael Crichton’s legacy will be preserved. Selling his art collection won’t affect that. I don’t know why the estate is selling these art works and it’s not my place to speculate. Crichton’s family and those he left in charge of his estate knew him and his wishes better than any of us do.

Unknown said...

The possible reason: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/03/michael-crichtons-daughter-addresses-sale-of-her-fathers-art-collection.html

Marla Warren said...

Yes, I have heard of what’s been involved in getting Crichton’s estate sorted out. But as Michael Crichton preferred to keep his private life private, I’m not going to discuss anything about his family life or estate on this blog. As I said, it’s not my place to speculate. I wish everyone involved well.

Unknown said...

I understand, and even agree with you (I wish everyone could be so polite and tactful these days), but on the other hand (do you say "on the other hand" in English? Or "on the other side"?), I think fans are allowed to discuss something that Michael – our man of inspiration – was very passionate about (passionate maybe not the right word – I know what he said about his collection – "I just bought images that I enjoyed looking at, and in the end, that is the only significance that I attach to them" – so let’s say something he liked a lot). And selling his nearly lifetime art collection not too long after his death is one of that things... Of course, the boundary between public and private life is thin and as I said at the beginning, I agree with you, that family details are not "cool" to discuss in serious debate. But I think I made no harm posting that link to article mentioning the official statement of Michael's daughter.

Marla Warren said...

Yes, we do say "on the other hand" in English. And there is no harm in your posting the link to the article—it is legitimate news about Michael Crichton’s art collection. But I’m not going to pass judgment on his estate for selling most of his collection, nor do I want to discuss any of the family conflicts concerning his estate.

The quote in the article from Crichton’s daughter Taylor concerning the sale is nice:

"It is my sincere hope that the new owners will appreciate their beauty, and that the art will provoke the same strong emotional reactions from their new caretakers that my father experienced while they were in his care."

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