Next month, the collection of world-renowned performer Barry Humphries (1934-2023) comes to Christie’s London saleroom in a live auction comprising 250 lots.
Best remembered for his comedic genius – in particular for his characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson – Barry Humphries started collecting in his teenage years in Australia, developing a passion that lasted until his death.
Described by Christie’s as an “inveterate and impulsive collector”, lots include works by the Australian artist Charles Conder, the best of fin-de-siècle decadent literature, 19th century European and Symbolist art, examples of Impressionist and Modern British art and Modern design.
The sale will also offer objects from Dame Edna Everage’s Personal Collection, ranging from costume and ‘face furniture’ (glasses), to caricatures.
Amongst the highlights are:
Sand dunes, Ambleteuse (1901) by Charles Conder, one of a group of renowned works by the artist that feature in the collection (estimate: £200,000-300,000)
A presentation copy of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (1899) (estimate: £100,000-150,000)
Jean Delville, L’oubli des Passions (estimate: £120,000-180,000)
A pair of diamante-encrusted ‘Sydney Opera House’ spectacles (estimate: £1,000-1,500)
Benedict Winter, Associate Director, Private & Iconic Collections, Christie’s London, said: “Barry Humphries is best remembered for his comedic genius, but behind this famous figure was a true polymath and connoisseur. His passion for collecting and his insatiable appetite for deepening his knowledge was the driving force behind the acquisition of these fascinating and very diverse works of art. This refined and engaging collection provides compelling insights into the private world of this very public performer.”
The full pre-sale exhibition will be on public view from 7 February to 12 February. For further information: christies.com
Image: The sale offers objects from Dame Edna Everage’s Personal Collection including a pair of Diamante-Encrusted ‘Sydney Opera House’ spectacles (estimate: £1,000-1,500) © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD 2024
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