Christie's to auction one of Belgium's largest private art collections
Christie's auction house on Avenue Louise in Brussels will soon auction one of Belgium's largest private art collections. It belonged to Roger and Josette Vanthournout, art patrons from Izegem, and is estimated to be worth almost 50 million euros.
The late Roger and Josette Vanthournout owned one of the largest private collections in Belgium. The pair travelled to art fairs in their spare time, buying works directly from artists, dealers and galleries. Their collection includes works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Henry Moore, Gustave De Smet and Panamarenko.
After Roger's death in 2005, 27 pieces of the pair's collection were auctioned at Sotheby's in New York. The highlight, a work by Francis Bacon, sold for 15 million US dollars. "We are now auctioning the second and largest part, after Josette passed away last year," explained Peter van der Graaf, an art expert at Christie's.
Among the highlights is 'La plaine de l'air' (1940) by Belgian surrealist René Magritte, which is estimated to fetch between 4 and 6.3 million euros. Other famous works include Picasso's 'Nu debout et femmes assises' (1939) and Henry Moore's 'Goslar Warrior' (1973).
"This is a typical Belgian collection," said van der Graaf. "It may not be a primary need, but it is certainly a secondary one for Belgians to live with art."
The works are currently on display this week at Christie's on Avenue Louise in Brussels. They will then travel to Hong Kong, New York and Paris. The auctions themselves will take place in London in March.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO/VIDEO TIMON RAMBOER
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