This May, Christie’s is set to showcase A Century of Art: The Gerald Fineberg Collection, an exceptional and diverse compilation of modern, post-war, and contemporary art and photography.
The collection will be featured in a two-part auction during the 20/21 Century sales season in New York.
Starting with Man Ray’s painting of Kiki de Montparnasse, the muse of Modernity, from 1923, the collection spans a century of art and delves into pivotal art historical movements and lesser-known aspects of the 20th-century canon.
Embracing Diversity: Artists of Color, Women, and Undervalued Creators
The Gerald Fineberg Collection highlights an inclusive perspective on artistic production throughout the past century.
It comprises works by artists of colour, women artists, and formerly undervalued creators such as Barkley Hendricks, Beaufort Delaney, Ruth Asawa, Alma Thomas, and Alice Neel.
Furthermore, the collection boasts an outstanding selection of photography, examining the medium in depth with works from Diane Arbus to Robert Mapplethorpe.
Gerald Fineberg: A Life Devoted to Art and Community
After serving in the Navy and settling in Boston, Gerald Fineberg (affectionately known as Jerry to his friends) significantly impacted the region’s commercial and cultural landscape.
He built a thriving real estate empire and a collection of hotels through his keen business instincts. Fineberg was devoted to his family and community, exemplified by his unwavering commitment to The Price Center in Newton, a program offering day and residential services to individuals with intellectual and cognitive differences.
Fineberg actively supported Massachusetts’ art institutions, serving on the boards of the Rose Art Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston.
At the latter, the remarkable Gerald and Sandra Fineberg Art Wall continues to offer a cutting-edge space for contemporary artists to showcase new installations.
An Art Collection Guided by Innovation and Imagination
Gerald Fineberg’s approach to art mirrored his approach to life—thinking both broadly and deeply. Starting in the 1980s, he embarked on a lifelong adventure, from meeting Jean–Michel Basquiat at a gallery opening in New York to visiting Andy Warhol’s Factory shortly before the artist’s death.
Fineberg’s collection reflects his dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and imagination, always with an eye toward the future.
Collection Highlights and Estimated Values
Leading highlights from the collection include Gerhard Richter’s 1967 figurative masterpiece Badende (estimate: $15,000,000 – 20,000,000), Christopher Wool’s Untitled rare multicoloured text painting (estimate: $15,000,000 – 20,000,000), and Pablo Picasso’s Buste d’homme lauré painted in 1969 (estimate: around $9,000,000-12,000,000). The collection is expected to bring in a total exceeding $270,000,000.
Sara Friedlander, Christie’s Deputy Chairman of 20th and 21st Century Art, comments, “Jerry bought art like a curator and built a collection that challenged the norms of what defined art history in the 20th century. It is a captivating and dynamic collection of contemporary and modern art, representative of key movements including Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Gutai, Pop, Minimalism, the Picture’s Generation, and Arte Povera. He collected all of the ‘Ninth Street Women’ artists and delved deeply into the artists at Black Mountain College. This is undoubtedly the defining collection of the season and the envy of every museum. We are honoured to bring it to market this Spring.”
Global Tour Schedule: Showcasing the Gerald Fineberg Collection Worldwide
Before the auction, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view the Gerald Fineberg Collection as it tours the globe. The schedule is as follows:
- London | 16-20 March
- Hong Kong | 3-6 April
- San Francisco | 12-15 April
- Palm Beach | 14-19 April
- Los Angeles | 17-20 April
Conclusion: A Celebration of Art and Diversity
A Century of Art: The Gerald Fineberg Collection is a testament to the collector’s passion for art that transcends traditional boundaries and embraces diversity.
This extraordinary collection, which encompasses 100 years of artistic achievements and captures the essence of various art movements, is a must-see event for art enthusiasts worldwide.
The upcoming auction at Christie’s promises to be an exciting and groundbreaking moment in the world of art, as the Gerald Fineberg Collection takes centre stage, redefining art history and offering a more inclusive view of the creative achievements of the past century.
Images: Christie’s