Fort Worth arts champion Anne Bass’s over $250 million treasures are up for auction – Christie’s set to handle monumental sale

VShristie’s is set to host a live auction centered around longtime Fort Worth philanthropist and champion of the arts, Anne Hendricks Bass, who passed away in 2020. The Anne H. Bass Collection showcasing a selection of 12 significant works of art by major artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Impressionist masters and Modernist marvels. The lot – which includes three pieces by Edgar Degas, three by Claude Monet and two by Mark Rothko – is estimated at more than $250 million, according to Christie’s.

The famous auction house presents it as “the most important American collection to hit the market this season”.

The collection arrived at Christie’s straight from inside Bass’ New York home. The sale is set for this Thursday, May 12 at 6 p.m.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Anne Hendricks Bass became a notable patron of the arts in her adopted hometowns of New York and Fort Worth. His philanthropic work has touched many parts of Fort Worth, including the Country Day School, the Modern Art Museum and the Texas Ballet Theater, one of his main passions. Bass also served on the board of Jewel Charity Ball, which benefits Cook Children’s Medical Center.

These 12 works of art will be featured in an evening sale dedicated to one owner during Christie’s Marquee Week of 20th and 21st Century Art sales at Rockefeller Plaza in New York.

“Throughout his apartment there were delightfully calibrated affinities and dialogues, between the enigmatic windows of Balthus and Hammershøi; between Degas’ dancers in pastel and bronze; between the flowering of Impressionism and the New York School; between Monet and Rothko”, explains Max Carter, head of impressionist and modern art at Christie.

In the entrance area of ​​Mrs. Bass’ apartment on Fifth Avenue, a bronze sculpture by Edgar Degas Fourteen year old dancer (estimated sale price $20-30 million) shared space with Balthus’s girl at the window (estimated price between 4 and 6 million dollars).

Interior of Anne Bass’s NYC Home_Rothko, Untitled (Shades of Red), Monet, Parliament, Setting Sun, Rothko, No. 1 (Photo by Visko Hatfield)

Two paintings by Mark Rothko — Untitled (shades of red) (estimated sale price of 60 to 80 million dollars) and No. 1 (estimated sale price between $45 and $65 million) — takes center stage in Anne Bass’s living room. by Monet Parliament, setting sun held court the room beyond.

Three unique paintings by Monet ― water lilies (estimated sale price between 35 and 55 million dollars) Poplars on the banks of the Epte, autumn (estimated price between 30 and 50 million dollars) and Parliament, setting sun (estimated price $40-60 million) – resided in his dining room.

“As a collector, Anne Bass was timeless,” notes Alex Rotter, president of Christie’s 20th and 21st Century Art. “Truly passionate about art in all its forms, not only did she appreciate beautiful objects, but she lived with them.

“These paintings and sculptures were more than just possessions for Ms. Bass, they were part of her home and part of her daily life. We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer it at Christie’s this spring.