The chance to sell four paintings by the late painter Clyfford Still, whose fanatical control of his work made sales rare, has favored one of the two major auction houses and left the other angry.
The city of Denver, where the Clyfford Still Museum is opening on Nov. 18, selected Sotheby’s (BID) to place the four works through either a private sale or public auction this fall. The proceeds would benefit the museum’s endowment. The auction house guaranteed the museum more than $25 million and could earn as much as $15 million in commission.
The city rejected the offer of Christie’s International Plc, which sold a large Still canvas in 2006 for $21.3 million.
“Christie’s made a clear, detailed and timely offer to the Clyfford Still Museum and city of Denver, and want to be sure that it is given due consideration,” the company said in a statement. Christie’s hasn’t filed a formal complaint.
“It was a competitive process that was fair and followed the city’s contracting procedures,” said Jan Brennan, with the Denver office of cultural affairs and one of the nine members of the selection committee.
Still (1904-1980) was an Abstract Expressionist in his painting and crystal clear in how he wanted his works treated. He sold very little and frequently rejected exhibition opportunities. His will stipulated that the estate be given in its entirety to a U.S. city willing to establish a permanent museum housing his work alone.
