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Clive Davis's Art Collection to Be Auctioned at Christie's

market-auction · 2026-09-09

Clive Davis's renowned art collection will be auctioned at Christie's 20th Century Evening Sale on November 2. Featured in the sale are pieces by notable artists including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Fernando Botero, Jean Dubuffet, David Hockney, Joan Mitchell, and Frank Stella. Davis, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 94, was a pivotal figure in the music world, credited with launching careers of stars like Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, and Whitney Houston. His pre-Grammys gala was a staple for industry elites. The collection is estimated to fetch $35 million, with individual piece estimates yet to be disclosed. A standout is Warhol's portrait of Franklin, conceived after a lunch discussion with Davis. William Featherby from Christie's remarked that Davis approached art with the same boldness he exhibited in his music career.

Key facts

  • Clive Davis's art collection will be sold at Christie's 20th Century Evening Sale on November 2.
  • The collection includes works by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Fernando Botero, Jean Dubuffet, David Hockney, Joan Mitchell, and Frank Stella.
  • Clive Davis died earlier this year at age 94.
  • The presale estimate for the collection is $35 million.
  • Individual estimates for most works have not been released as of Wednesday.
  • A highlight is Andy Warhol's portrait of Aretha Franklin.
  • Davis was a music executive who worked with artists like Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, and Whitney Houston.
  • William Featherby of Christie's commented on Davis's collecting instinct.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Christie's
  • Billboard
  • Galerie Magazine
  • The Velvet Underground
  • Studio 54
  • Columbia Records
  • Arista Records
  • J Records
  • Sony Music
  • Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery
  • Council of Fashion Designers of America
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • Khaite
  • Diotima
  • Carolina Herrera
  • Public School New York
  • The Row
  • Luar
  • Coach
  • Juju Vera
  • Aubero
  • Lii
  • Yves Saint Laurent
  • Bergdorf Goodman
  • Meta
  • Fendi Casa
  • Luxury Living Group
  • Kunstmuseum Den Haag
  • Dutch Costume Museum
  • Esther Schipper
  • Independent 20th Century
  • Leeum Museum of Art
  • Printemps
  • Studio KO
  • Serpentine
  • Crystal Bridges
  • Tiffany & Co.
  • GPHG
  • The Met
  • Pierre Frey
  • Fortuny
  • Létrange
  • USPS
  • Michelangelo Foundation
  • Homo Faber

Locations

  • Beverly Hills
  • United States
  • Normandy
  • East Yorkshire
  • France
  • New York
  • Paris
  • Cannes
  • The Hague
  • Netherlands
  • Tokyo
  • Japan
  • Seoul
  • South Korea
  • Tashkent
  • Uzbekistan

Sources