In an unprecedented artistic journey, Christie’s recently extended a warm welcome to enthusiasts worldwide, inviting them to embark on “A Collecting Odyssey: Property from The Mougins Museum of Classical Art.”
This extraordinary journey will unfold across six meticulously curated sales over the course of 12 months, spanning iconic locations in London, New York, and the vast realm of the online art world.
Commencing with a captivating opening in London during Classic Week in December 2023, this artistic odyssey will conclude with a grand finale in December 2024. These sales represent a magnificent tribute to the illustrious Mougins Museum of Classical Art (MACM), a testament to the vision and devotion of its creator, Christian Levett.
Unveiling the Masterpieces
As of 2011, the Mougins Museum of Classical Art has stood as a symbol of artistic excellence and curation, weaving together the artistic tapestry of ancient civilizations and the modern world.
Recently, this iconic institution announced a profound transformation as it boldly steps into a new era, becoming the first major European museum exclusively dedicated to female artists, aptly named the Female Artists’ Mougins Museum (FAMM).
This monumental shift underlines the museum’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation, making its mark on the global art scene.
The heart of this extraordinary series of auctions lies in Christian Levett’s unparalleled storytelling and his boundless passion for collecting art throughout the ages. Each artwork meticulously selected finds its place in a harmonious dialogue with its companions, transcending the boundaries of time and genre. This curated masterpiece collection is a testament to Levett’s vision, offering art aficionados a unique and captivating opportunity to acquire treasures ranging from the ancient world of Egypt, Greece, and Rome to the heights of Neo-Classicism and the contemporary sphere.
The collective catalogue of these sales encompasses a staggering 400 works, boasting the world’s most extensive private collection of ancient arms and armour. Among the gems, early highlights from the inaugural auction, set to captivate connoisseurs, will be publicly displayed at Christie’s headquarters during the 20/21 pre-sale exhibition, coinciding with the much-anticipated Frieze week in London, running from the 6th to the 11th of October.
Ancient to Modern Art: Part I – London, December 2023
The first chapter of this artistic odyssey, “Ancient to Modern Art from the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Part I,” is set to make its grand entrance in London on the 7th of December 2023, as a mesmerizing highlight of Classic Week. Featuring an impressive selection of approximately 65 lots, this sale unearths the timeless allure of classical art.
It encompasses masterpieces from Greek, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations, seamlessly mingling with works from Old Masters and contemporary luminaries such as Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley. This extraordinary blend illustrates the enduring fascination with classical aesthetics, encompassing a wide array of artistic epochs, including Antiquities, Old Masters, Impressionism, Modernism, Post-War, and Contemporary Art, as well as Prints and Sculpture.
Some of the most illustrious highlights of “Ancient to Modern Art from the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Part I” include:
- Damien Hirst’s “The Severed Head of Medusa” (2013): A limited edition masterpiece, ranked number two out of three, with an estimated value of £500,000-700,000.
- Antony Gormley’s “Reflection II”: A striking pair of cast iron body forms, part of an edition of three plus two artist’s proofs, estimated at £400,000-600,000.
- A Roman Marble Group Statue of Bacchus, Pan & Eros: A captivating masterpiece from the early 3rd century A.D., estimated at £300,000-500,000.
- Giovanni Paolo Panini’s “A Classical Capriccio”: Featuring iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Trajan’s Column, and the Farnese Hercules in conversation with the philosopher Diogenes, estimated at £200,000-300,000.
Arms and Armour: Part I – New York, January 2024
Kicking off the new year with a resounding artistic flourish, “Arms and Armour from the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Part I” will take centre stage in New York in January 2024. This monumental event will showcase approximately 40 lots from the world’s most extensive private collection of ancient arms and armour, captivating collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The New York event will feature spectacular highlights, including:
- The Guttman Mouse Helmet: A Roman Iron, Copper, and Brass Helmet from the late 2nd to early 3rd century A.D., paired with a Roman iron alloy and brass Dolabra, estimated at $1,000,000-$1,500,000.
- A Greek Bronze Corinthian Helmet (circa 500-470 B.C.): Estimated at $300,000-$500,000.
- A Greek Bronze Phrygian-Chalcidian Helmet with a Winged Griffin Crest (circa late 4th century B.C.): Estimated at $150,000-$250,000.
- A Greek Bronze Corinthian Helmet with Breast and Back Plate Armour and Greaves (circa 700-500 B.C.): Estimated at $120,000-$180,000.
- A Roman Marble Cuirassed Torso of an Emperor: From the Flavian Period, circa late 1st century A.D., estimated at $350,000-$450,000.
This extraordinary series of auctions promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for art lovers and collectors to embark on a Collecting Odyssey of their own, guided by the passion, vision, and storytelling prowess of Christian Levett. As these treasures from The Mougins Museum of Classical Art find new homes, they continue to captivate and inspire, forging a timeless connection between past and present, classical and contemporary, and art and its devoted admirers.
Images: Christie’s
