The Lewis Collection — 48 works amassed by the Lewises — is on display at Sotheby's London and is expected to sell for more than £200m, a European record for a single-owner auction. Top lots include a 1917 Modigliani nude (estimated >£45m) and Lucian Freud's Sleeping by the Lion Carpet (£25m–£35m). The sale also features seven Picassos, Magritte and Bacon, with public viewing running until 23 June and the auction on 24–25 June.
Lewis Collection Set To Fetch Over £200m at Sotheby's London — A European Record
Works by Kazimir Malevich and Lucian Freud are part of the collection [PA Media]
The Lewis Collection, a private group of 48 masterpieces assembled by the Lewises, is on public display at Sotheby's London ahead of a two-day sale expected to raise in excess of £200 million — the highest estimate ever placed on a single-owner collection offered at auction in Europe.
Highlights On View
Key works include Amedeo Modigliani's notorious 1917 nude, from an exhibition closed by police on its opening day; the painting has not been seen in the UK since 1938 and is forecast to sell for more than £45m. Lucian Freud's Sleeping by the Lion Carpet carries an estimate of £25m–£35m, while Edgar Degas's bronze Petite Danseuse de quatorze ans could fetch up to £25m.
Petite danseuse de quatorze ans by Edgar Degas is expected to fetch up to £25m [PA Media]
Seven works by Pablo Picasso are included, among them the 1938 portrait Buste de femme, estimated at £12m–£18m. René Magritte's 1965 La Belle Promenade and Francis Bacon's 1976 Study for Portrait are also consigned to the sale.
Context and Commentary
Oliver Barker, Sotheby's European chairman, said many of the works "sent shockwaves through the art world and polite society" when they were created, praising the Lewises for building their collection "with such care and passion."
Masterworks from The Lewis Collection is on public view at Sotheby's London until 23 June. The auction will be held on 24 and 25 June.
Practical details: Public viewing: until 23 June • Auction: 24–25 June • Location: Sotheby's London.
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