Christie's New York is preparing to offer nine major artworks with a combined value of around $100 million in a landmark sale titled "Heroes and Lovers." The auction house has described the owner as a distinguished collector, without publicly identifying the consignor.
The group brings together a broad art-historical dialogue, spanning Old Masters and 20th-century modernism. Seven works are scheduled for Christie's 20th-century art sale on November 17, while two Old Master paintings will be presented during Classics Week in 2027.
Picasso Leads the Collection
Four works by Pablo Picasso form the core of the selection. The highest-valued lot is expected to be Le Baiser from 1969, estimated at $40 million. The painting joins Picasso's Couple and two portraits titled Tête de femme, reflecting the artist's enduring exploration of intimacy, identity and form.
The "heroes" theme is represented by Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem's Hercules and Achelous from 1590, estimated at about $12 million. The work draws on classical mythology, portraying the contest between Hercules and the river god Achelous. The collection also includes works by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, François Le Moyne, Édouard Manet and Tilman Riemenschneider.
A Cross-Era View of Collecting
By placing Renaissance, Rococo and modern works in a single auction narrative, "Heroes and Lovers" highlights how collectors can build conversations across centuries. The selection balances mythology, romance, portraiture and artistic experimentation, offering a focused look at enduring creative themes.
This sale may further strengthen the role of carefully curated private collections in shaping how global audiences encounter art history across generations.
