Brief
Van Gogh painting unveiled before $180m auction of Blaquier‑Arrieta collection
The work joins 11 other impressionist masterpieces on view at Sotheby's before the November 18 auction in New York.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Vincent van Gogh's late‑period painting Châtaigniers en fleurs was displayed at Sotheby's in London on Wednesday, ahead of its inclusion in a $180 million auction of the late Argentine collector Nelly Arrieta de Blaquier’s private collection, the Guardian reported.
What happened
The painting, created in May 1890 shortly after Van Gogh arrived in Auvers‑sur‑Oise, will be auctioned alongside 11 other impressionist and modern works, including Paul Cézanne’s Harlequin valued at $150 million. All 12 works are expected to fetch more than $450 million in total. After a two‑day public viewing in London, the paintings will travel to Taipei, Hong Kong and Paris before the New York sale on 18 November.
What the reports add
The Guardian notes that the collection, kept hidden for over 50 years, has been described as a "miniature Musée d’Orsay". It adds that the Van Gogh piece is one of only eight of his Auvers works held in private hands and that previous owners included his brother Theo and US songwriter‑producer George Gard “Buddy” DeSylva.
What was said
Philip Hook, former director of impressionist and modern art at Sotheby’s and a regular BBC Antiques Roadshow expert, called the opening "a historic moment" and said the collection had "attained an almost mythical status in the art world". Simon Shaw, senior art adviser at Sotheby’s, described the collection as "like a small museum – a miniature Musée d’Orsay, now opening its doors for the very first time".
How it came about
The Blaquier‑Arrieta collection, assembled by the late Nelly Arrieta de Blaquier, includes works by Paul Gauguin, Camille Pissarro, Pierre‑Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, André Derain, Henri de Toulouse‑Lautrec and Maurice de Vlaminck. Felo previously covered high‑value private art collections, such as Sheikha Somayeh Noor’s $3.3 billion UAE collection, highlighting a trend of secretive holdings entering public markets.
Key facts
- Van Gogh's 'Chestnut Tree in Flower' will be auctioned for $180 million. (theguardian.com)
- The Blaquier‑Arrieta collection includes 12 impressionist masterpieces expected to fetch over $450 million. (theguardian.com)
- The works will be displayed at Sotheby's London before traveling to Taipei, Hong Kong, Paris and New York for the 18 November auction. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com
- [2] standard.co.uk
