Sotheby’s is poised to offer a record-breaking $30 million collection from the private collection of Daniella Luxembourg, a visionary collector and founder of Luxembourg+Co gallery, in May’s auction season.
Daniella Luxembourg‘s $30 Million Collection Leads Sotheby’s May Auctions
A Visionary Collector’s Masterpieces Take Center Stage
As auction houses scramble for quality consignments, private collectors are holding tight in a climate of market uncertainty, waiting for top-tier collections from established dealers’ private holdings to hit the auction block this season. This May, Sotheby’s is poised to offer fifteen exceptional works from the private collection of Daniella Luxembourg, the Israeli art dealer and founder of the eponymous Luxembourg+Co gallery.
The Powerhouse Dealer’s Vision
Lucembourg‘s collection is a testament to her instinctive approach to collecting, driven by a personal connection with the works rather than a specific movement or artist. ‘I have always seen collecting as an instinctive, deeply personal journey,’ she states. ‘These artists were carrying the flag of modernism in a different way by reinventing a new vocabulary.’ The collection features work by prominent names from the Italian postwar period alongside American contemporary masters such as Alexander Calder and Claes Oldenburg.
A Pioneering Investigation into Space and Materiality
A common thread running through the collection is the pioneering investigation these artists pursued into space and materiality, challenging the dominance of the flat picture plane and dismantling painting’s conventional boundaries. This radical aesthetics was fueled by the era’s scientific ferment and groundbreaking discoveries, including the space race and the seismic shift in visual imagination sparked by the first moon landing.
Lucio Fontana: The Lunar Surface
A defining piece in this sense is the rare gold Concetto Spaziale, La Fine di Dio by Lucio Fontana, which comes to auction with a remarkable estimate of $12-18 million. This work exemplifies Fontana‘s pursuit of a new space within and beyond the picture plane, as he famously stated, ‘I do not want to make a painting; I want to open up space.’
Lucio Fontana was an Italian artist who revolutionized the concept of art with his innovative technique of 'buchi' (holes).
Born in Rosario, Argentina in 1899, he moved to Italy in 1922 and became a prominent figure in the avant-garde movement.
Fontana's work challenged traditional notions of painting by incorporating three-dimensional elements, creating an immersive experience for the viewer.
His use of holes and cuts in canvases was a radical departure from conventional art forms, earning him recognition as a pioneer of Spatialism.
Alberto Burri: A Monumental Exploration
Another major highlight of the sale is the monumental black Cretto by Alberto Burri from 1976, which Sotheby’s will offer with a $2.5-3.5 million estimate. Part of a series of thirty-seven large-scale works, this piece stands as a culmination of Burri‘s poetic and alchemical exploration of materials.
Italian artist Alberto Burri (1915-1995) was a pioneer in mixed media art.
He experimented with found objects, paint, and fabric to create unique pieces that blended abstraction and realism.
Born in Urbino, Italy, Burri studied medicine before turning to art.
His works often incorporated discarded materials like rags, tar, and oil, reflecting his interest in the relationship between art and life.
Alexander Calder: Sculptural Harmony
On the American side, Sotheby’s will offer a signature example of Alexander Calder‘s aerial and organic approach to sculpture, exploring how form interacts with and responds to its surrounding environment. Presented with a $5-7 million estimate, the black mobile Armada from 1945 testifies to Calder‘s singular ability to merge engineering and lyricism in a balanced orchestration of motion, space, and sculptural harmony.
Alexander Calder was an American artist born in 1898, known for his innovative mobile sculptures.
He began as a mechanical engineer and later studied art at the Art Students League in New York City.
Calder's unique style combined modernism with folk art elements.
His iconic mobiles used suspended objects to create dynamic movements, captivating audiences worldwide.
With over 1,000 works created during his lifetime, Calder's legacy continues to inspire artists and designers today.
The Art Market’s Anticipation
Art dealer collections are expected to lead the May auction season. While no official announcement has been made yet, rumors have been circulating that both Sotheby’s and Christie’s have been in negotiations to secure Barbara Gladstone‘s private collection after the legendary dealer passed away last summer. A large part of her collection is comprised of seminal works by artists her namesake gallery represents, including era-defining names such as Joan Jonas, Matthew Barney, Carroll Dunham, Ugo Rondinone, Shirin Neshat, and Wangechi Mutu.
The Rare Black Flower Painting
Gladstone was also known to own a rare black flower painting by Andy Warhol, seen in photos of her home, and was an avid collector of Richard Prince. As of publication, Gladstone‘s estate attorney has not responded to calls or emails seeking comment, but many in the industry expect the announcement that Gladstone‘s collection will headline the May sales to appear any day now.
The sale is expected to generate $30 million, with ‘Im Spazio: The Space of Thoughts‘ serving as the title for Sotheby’s Contemporary Evening Auction in May.
