The Facts
On October 5, 2026, Christie's announced 'Heroes and Lovers,' a private collection of nine masterpieces spanning 500 years, estimated at approximately $100 million. The collection includes works by Pablo Picasso, Tilman Riemenschneider, Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem, François Le Moyne, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, and Édouard Manet. Seven works will headline the 20th Century Evening Sale during November Marquee Week in New York, while two Old Master works will be offered in Classic Week 2027. The leading highlight is Picasso's 'Le Baiser,' painted in October 1969, depicting a passionate kiss with his wife Jacqueline.
The Signal
The collection signals a strategic move by Christie's to consolidate high-value private collections within marquee sales, leveraging a global tour to build momentum. The inclusion of Old Master sculpture alongside Modern icons reflects a growing market appetite for cross-category offerings. For collectors, the estimated $100 million price point and the record-setting history of van Haarlem's 'Hercules and Achelous' suggest strong demand for trophy works with provenance and institutional exhibition history.
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- Artists: Pablo Picasso, Tilman Riemenschneider, Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem, François Le Moyne, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Édouard Manet
- People: Jacqueline Picasso, Dora Maar
- Auction Houses: Christie's
- Museums: Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Locations: New York, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Taipei
- Prices: $100 million
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