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Rothko Masterpiece Leads $100M Art Auction
23 Oct
Summary
- A 1967 Mark Rothko painting leads a Sotheby's auction.
- The Baum collection is estimated to exceed $100 million.
- The collection spans postwar abstraction, Pop Art, and European works.
A 1967 Mark Rothko painting, acquired by collectors Theodore and Ruth Baum in 1983, is a highlight of an upcoming Sotheby's auction in New York. This pivotal acquisition launched the Baums' journey into contemporary art collecting. The auction house will offer more than 20 works from their collection on November 16 and 17, with an estimated total sales value exceeding $100 million. Additional pieces will be offered through 2027.
The Baum collection showcases a broad interest in artists who challenged conventions, featuring postwar abstraction, Pop Art, and experimental European art. Notable works include pieces by Joan Mitchell, Sam Francis, Hans Hofmann, Tom Wesselmann, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol, alongside European masters like Piero Manzoni and Lucio Fontana. The couple lived with their collection in various locations, including Palm Beach, Southampton, New Jersey, and New York.
Ted Baum passed away in 2021, and Ruth Baum in 2026. The upcoming Sotheby's sales in November 2026, with an exhibition opening on November 7, bring their lifelong passion for art to a global audience. This auction represents decades of dedicated collecting, shaped by curiosity and a deep appreciation for living with art.
