By

Leticia Marie Sanchez

On View at Christie’s Los Angeles Until April 12^th

336 N Camden Drive Beverly Hills

Art-loving Angelenos:

If there is only ONE artistic experience in which you engage this week, run, don’t walk (Uber- whatever you need to do to GET there!) to Christie’s Beverly Hills.

To say the viewing is a high-octane experience is an understatement.

The first clue that you are in the room with works from the highest stratosphere is when you see the plethora of Men In Black with secret-service earpieces guarding the masterpieces. All of these works hail from the collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller and will be heading to New York to the Rockefeller Center (naturally!) for what may be the greatest art auction of all time- the work is valued at 500 million.

What is even more extraordinary is that all of the auction proceeds will benefit charity.

So many treasures in one room.

A swoon-worthy Monet

Claude Monet (1840 1926)

Nymphéas en fleur

stamped with signature ‘Claude Monet’ (on the reverse) oil on canvas 63.3/8 x 71.1/8 in. (160.9 x 180.8 cm.) Painted circa 1914-1917 Estimate in the region of $50 million

Image: Courtesy of Christie’s

Edward Hopper is often known for scenes of gritty urban loneliness like Nighthawks,  Nightwindows, and Morning in the City. The Hopper painting in the Rockefeller collection could not be any more different. This uplifting, captivating view of Cape Ann,, coaxing the viewer on a stroll through northeastern Massachusetts, although it could just as easily be the moors of the Brontes. Despite their great wealth, the Rockefellers many homes- in Hudson Valley, the Upper East Side, Mount Desert Island, St. Bart’s,  and Columbia County have been described as neither ostentation nor imposing, but warm and inviting. Standing in front of this soothing Hopper, one can only imagine it hanging in one of their homes, creating an aura of tranquility.

Edward Hopper (1882-1967)

Cape Ann Granite signed ‘Edward Hopper’ (lower right)oil on canvas29 x 40 ¼ in. (71.1 x 102.2 cm.)Painted in 1928.Estimate $6,000,000 -8,000,000

Image: Courtesy of Christie’s 

Pablo Picasso

When you look at the placard next to this painting, the price says “Estimate on Request.” This is like perusing one of the most expensive items on a restaurant menu- except this is not a Lobster, but a feast for the senses with a potential market value over $90 million. What is incredible is that it was first purchased by Leo Stein for $30. And Gertrude Stein was furious with him for purchasing it!

Pablo Picasso(1881-1973)Fillette à la corbeille fleurie signed ‘Picasso’ (upper right); signed again, dated and inscribed ‘Picasso 1905 13 Rue Ravignan’ (on the reverse) oil on canvas 60.7/8 x 26 in. (154.8 x 66.1 cm.) Painted in 1905 Estimate in the region of $90 million

Image: Courtesy of Christie’s

Don’t miss a suite of Peridot and Diamond Jewelry, by Van Cleef and Arpels. The necklace, which looks coronation-worthy, is intriguing in that if you look closely, the different elements can be removed and taken apart, to create, for instance, a broach.

Who will be the buyers of these stunning works? We will all be waiting with bated breath for the moment when the auction gavel will launch for this collection.

Until then, head to Christie’s for a historic art-viewing opportunity that may never repeat itself again.

Image: Courtesy of Christie’s