Sotheby's is poised to auction four significant pieces from the esteemed Lewis Collection next month, headlined by a self-portrait by Francis Bacon from 1972. The auction house has noted a considerably more robust market compared to the previous year.
This collection features two portraits by Lucian Freud along with a rare swimming pool scene by Leon Kossoff. These masterpieces will be showcased in New York prior to their appearance at Sotheby's Modern and Contemporary evening sale in London on March 4. The auction house has described this selection as "one of the finest groups of School of London works ever presented to the market."
Joe Lewis, a prominent British businessman and art collector, is known for his significant ownership of London's Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. His art collection, which he has curated alongside his daughter Vivienne, is valued at approximately $1 billion, focusing primarily on impressionist and School of London artworks. The upcoming auction marks the first dedicated sale from the Lewis Collection.
The term "School of London" was coined by artist R.B. Kitaj to describe a collective of London-based artists dedicated to figurative painting during the 1970s, amidst the rise of avant-garde styles. Notable figures within this movement include Bacon, Freud, and Kossoff, alongside Frank Auerbach, David Hockney, Howard Hodgkin, and Michael Andrews.
Oliver Barker, Sotheby's Europe chairman, remarked on the changing atmosphere for spring auctions, highlighting a shift from the challenges faced in early 2025 due to higher interest rates and geopolitical factors. "The first half of the year was quite difficult, but a change occurred in September," he stated.
Barker emphasized that collectors are now pursuing "fresh-to-market, high-quality, well-estimated material," which he believes aligns perfectly with the Lewis Collection offerings. "Finding exceptional pieces has proven challenging, but the response to such quality is always strong," he added.
The Modern and Contemporary evening sale follows what Barker described as an "extraordinary" fall season in New York, enhanced by Sotheby's relocation to the Breuer building and the management of significant legacy collections. "We reflect the mood of the previous season," he noted. "Currently, there is substantial depth among bidders."
Bacon's Self-Portrait carries a high estimate of £12 million and was created shortly after the death of his partner, George Dyer. Barker referred to 1972 as a pivotal year for Bacon's introspective work. The painting was originally a gift to Bacon's physician, Paul Brass, who treated him following a violent incident in Soho.
Following Bacon, two works by Freud will be auctioned: Blond Girl on a Bed (1987), with a high estimate of £8 million, and A Young Painter (1957-58), estimated at £6 million. Barker described the latter as a significant turning point in Freud's style, marking a transition to a more tactile and expressive approach to painting.
Completing the collection is Kossoff's Children's Swimming Pool (1969), estimated at £800,000. This piece is one of five major swimming pool paintings, with three held in museum collections. Barker characterized it as "masterpiece quality" and "incredibly reasonable." He noted that the Lewises are selling now due to perceived strength in the market, a sentiment echoed by Sotheby's.
A representative for the Lewis Collection stated, "The School of London has been a central focus of our collection since its inception. This movement has transformed how artists engage with the human experience. We deeply value its legacy and wish to support today's avant-garde artists who continue this fearless exploration. By bringing forth some of our favorite works, we aim to highlight the movement's finest achievements and inspire the next generation of collectors to connect with this vital chapter in British art."