Or…Did you know those big auction houses, like Sothebys and Christies, have preview days prior to an auction and are open to the public and are FREE?
(NOTE: Life got a little complicated these last few weeks which is why you haven’t heard from me. But, I’m back with my further NYC adventures!)
Fall and spring are the big art auction seasons, however, they go on all the time. And they’re fun to see and I’m all into freebees! If you haven’t gone before, it’s a new way to enjoy the City.
I saw this stunning work by Gerhard Richter at Sothebys prior to the auction on Contemporary Art on November 14th…and it sold that night for $33,604,500!!!! I watched the auction live stream on my computer. It was an interesting couple of hours as bidders on the phone or sitting with bidding paddle in hand decide what was the highest they would go to own a particular work of art.
Keep in mind, auction houses sell more than paintings. Example is an auction on the collections of Barbara and Frank Sinatra.
Below is from Sothebys’ website.
“Highlights of the collection include film and entertainment memorabilia, including Frank Sinatra’s personal copies of scripts from movies and projects across his career as well as fine art, decorative art, and jewelry collected by the couple. Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra will be offered in a dedicated auction in New York on 6 December, as well as an online sale from 27 November – 7 December. (New York & Online | 27 November – 7 December)”
Final take? If you want to do something different and perhaps get away from the crowds (except for Christies which is only a block from Rockefeller Center) and see up close interesting and beautiful works of art and other collections along with estimated selling prices shown next to the art… visit an auction house!
And, of course, followed by something nice to drink at a nearby friendly spot, like a sparkling Prosecco, not expensive, low alcohol and delicious as you think back on what you saw and try to make a decision if you could bid on one piece, which one would it be…hmmm.
LOVE THIS CITY!
KAY’S NOTES:
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Check out their websites for upcoming auctions, previewing days and loaded with other info.
https://www.sothebys.com https://www.christies.com
For a guide to New York auction houses, this is a good site: https://hyperallergic.com/51301/a-guide-to-new-yorks-auction
FUN TO KNOW: Good places for celebrity sightings.
GOOD TO KNOW: HBO has a documentary called, The Price of Everything about artists and collectors. I was surprised to see that a few of the artists in this documentary had works auctioned the evening of the 14th.
KID FRIENDLY? Best for older kids
Photos: Sothebys, Christies, Kay
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.