The art world is set to benefit from the generosity of the late philanthropist and art collector Anne Bass. Next month, Christie’s will auction her private art collection, which will provide a rare glimpse into the refined world of one of America’s most beloved arts patrons.
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Auction Highlights
The auction, titled Art from the Bass House, is set to present May 12 to 15 at Christie’s Rockefeller Center galleries in New York City. This single-owner evening sale, part of Christie’s Marquee Week of 20th and 21st Century Art, will feature 19 works from the Bass’s iconic Bass House, with total estimates exceeding $60 million.
- Mark Rothko’s No. 4 (Two Dominants) (Orange, Plum, Black), which the auction house estimates will sell for about $35 million.
- Frank Stella’s Itata from the artist’s Notched-V series (estimated to go for $6 to $8 million).
- Ellsworth Kelly’s Blue Black Red, which hung in the playroom (estimated to go for $4 to $6 million).
- Danseuse by Gino Severini (estimated to fetch $1.5 to $2.5 million).
These works showcase the exquisite taste and sophisticated design that defined the Bass House, a masterwork of late Modernist residential design. Completed in the 1970s, the Bass House in Fort Worth, Texas, was conceived by architect Paul Rudolph for the couple, who spent a full year drafting a letter to ask him to design the home.
The Bass House: A Masterwork of Modernist Design
The Bass House is a testament to the couple’s passion for art, design, and landscape. Surrounded by gardens designed by Robert Zion and Russell Page, the house became not just a private residence but a quiet monument to the Bass’s passion for these pursuits. The home’s soaring walls, strategically placed skylights, and a flowing, gallery-like layout blur the line between architecture and exhibition space.
- Soaring walls
- Strategically placed skylights
- A flowing, gallery-like layout
These design elements, combined with the Bass House’s iconic collection, created a space that was both beautiful and intellectually stimulating. The house became a hub for art lovers and intellectuals, and its impact can still be felt today.
A Champion of the Arts
Anne Bass was a champion of the arts, and her love for art was evident in every aspect of her life. Her favorite piece, Danseuse by Gino Severini, is a colorful Futurist oil painting that she displayed in the library by her desk.
“Anne and Sid Bass stand among the world’s most formidable and influential art collectors, combining exquisite taste with the highest level of connoisseurship,” said Bonnie Brennan, Christie’s chief executive officer.
Anne’s passion for the arts extended beyond her personal collection, and she was a champion of the New York City Ballet. Her love for the arts was evident in her grand floor at 960 Fifth Avenue, which sold for $53.5 million in January.
Auction Exhibition
For the upcoming auction, Christie’s will exhibit highlights from the collection in London (April 5–8) and Hong Kong (April 20–21), before the full exhibition in New York leading up to the May 12 auction.
| April 5–8 | London |
| April 20–21 | Hong Kong |
| May 12 | New York City |
The auction is expected to be a highlight of the season, and the opportunity to explore the refined world of Anne Bass will be a rare privilege for art lovers and collectors alike. With its exquisite taste, sophisticated design, and iconic collection, the Bass House is a testament to the enduring power of art and architecture to inspire and delight.