Christie's is set to bring the Antonio Homem Sonnabend Collection to auction this fall, with expectations that the sale could surpass $50 million. The group reflects decades of collecting shaped by Antonio Homem Sonnabend, the adopted son of art dealers Ileana and Michael Sonnabend.
The offering centers on post-war and contemporary art, along with photographs, prints, multiples, and design. It will appear across Christie's 20th/21st Century Evening Sales in London, Paris, and New York, highlighting the international reach of the collection.
Among the featured works are pieces by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, and Mario Schifano. The selection includes major works from the late 1950s through the 2010s, reflecting the evolution of modern art across generations.
Antonio Phokion Potamianos-Homem said the collection was lived with and cared for over many years, making its release a meaningful decision. He also noted that two works from the Sonnabend Collection Mantova will be sold to help support the museum's long-term future.
The Mantova institution, opened in 2025 in northern Italy, currently presents works by Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Koons. Christie's described Ileana Sonnabend as a pivotal figure in connecting European and American art scenes, helping shape the visibility of post-war and contemporary movements on both sides of the Atlantic.
This sale underscores how private collections can continue to expand cultural dialogue and inspire new chapters for museums and collectors alike. Its impact may help define how art heritage is preserved and shared in the years ahead.
