More than 80 works from Connecticut collector Mickey Cartin will go under the hammer at Christie's in a series of more than 10 auctions. Taking place in London, Paris and New York from November 2026 through July 2027, the sales carry combined estimates of up to $8 million.
The collection, which Cartin began assembling in 1988, spans centuries and disciplines. It includes Netherlandish painting, contemporary art, outsider art and rare books--from 13th-century volumes to artists' books made today. Rather than follow conventional categories, Cartin has selected objects for their ideas and their ability to capture his imagination.
Highlights across eras
Among the leading estimates is Roman Opałka's large-scale painting OPAŁKA 1965/1, valued at $400,000-$600,000. The work belongs to the artist's lifelong project of painting numbers in sequence, conceived as a single undertaking extending toward infinity.
A 15th-century panel, Resurrection of Christ, by the Master of the Virgo Inter Virgines is also expected to bring a mid-six-figure price. Other notable lots include Walton Ford's 1996 watercolor Avatars - The Birds of India, estimated at $200,000-$300,000, and a 1950 self-portrait by Giorgio de Chirico, carrying an estimate of $180,000-$250,000.
The rare-book selection includes a 1517 edition of Theuerdank, produced for Emperor Maximilian I, and Georg Bartisch's 1583 work on eye disorders and surgery. Together, the objects reflect a collecting approach that brings art and historical material into conversation across time.
As the works reach new audiences, Cartin's collection offers a reminder that unexpected connections between eras and disciplines can shape how people encounter art in the future.
