The prestigious collection of Jordan and Thomas Saunders III, composed of 56 paintings by Old Masters, will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York next May.
This collection, which encompasses works from the 16th to the 19th century, includes Dutch and Spanish still lifes, English portraits, and Italian views.
The overall estimate ranges between 80 and 120 million dollars, suggesting a potential record for this segment of the art market.
Origins of the Saunders Collection
The beginning of the collection dates back to January 1998, when Thomas A. Saunders III, a well-known financier and longtime partner of Morgan Stanley, along with his wife Jordan, visited an exhibition at Sotheby’s.
On that occasion, they were fascinated by a “View of the Island of Giudecca” by Francesco Guardi, which became the first purchase of a series of masterpieces that have enriched their collection over the years.
Outstanding Works at Saunders Auction
Among the most significant works that will be offered at the auction:
- Frans Hals: A rare pair of portraits, “Boy Playing the Violin” and “Girl Singing”, with an estimate between 6 and 8 million dollars.
- Frans Post: A view estimated between 6 and 8 million dollars, with the artist’s previous record standing at 4.5 million dollars since 1997.
- Adriaen Coorte: A still life depicting a porcelain bowl filled with wild strawberries, estimated between 2 and 3 million dollars.
Comparison with Previous Auctions
This sale is shaping up to be one of the most significant in the Old Masters market. To make a comparison, in November 2022, the collection of Paul Gardner Allen exceeded one billion dollars in an auction at Christie’s, setting a record for a single collection.
Although the estimate of the Saunders collection is lower, the attention and interest generated indicate a significant potential for establishing new records in the bull sector.
Implications for the Art Market
The auction of the Saunders collection represents an event of great significance for the Old Masters market, a sector that, although niche compared to contemporary art, continues to arouse the interest of collectors and investors.
The success of this sale could positively influence the value and demand for similar works in the future.
The auction of the Saunders collection will therefore offer a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors to acquire works of extraordinary quality and provenance, while simultaneously contributing to redefining the parameters of the Old Masters market.
Image: Francesco Guardi, Venice, A View of the Churches of San Giorgio Maggiore and Santa Maria della Salute. Courtesy of Sotheby’s
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
