ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Marian Goodman's $65 Million Collection Heads to Christie's Auctions in May

market-auction · 2026-04-09

Christie's is set to auction the personal collection of Marian Goodman, a prominent New York art dealer who passed away in January at the age of 97, with an estimated worth of $65 million. The auction, named 'Breaking Ground: The Private Collection of Marian Goodman,' will kick off on May 20 with seven paintings by Gerhard Richter, created between 1982 and 2009, valued from $30,000 to $50 million. The standout piece is expected to be Richter's candle painting from 1982, with an estimated value between $35 million and $50 million. Additional artworks will be auctioned on May 21 and through an online sale from May 8 to May 22. Goodman's gallery, established in 1977, has represented Richter since 1985. Highlights will tour internationally before a pre-sale exhibition at Christie's Rockefeller Center.

Key facts

  • Marian Goodman died in January at age 97 in Los Angeles
  • Her complete collection is estimated around $65 million
  • Christie's will sell the collection in May through three dedicated sales
  • Seven Gerhard Richter paintings will kick off the 21st-century evening sale on May 20
  • A 1982 Richter candle painting is estimated at $35 million to $50 million
  • Goodman began representing Richter in 1985
  • Richter's auction record is $46.3 million set in 2015
  • Goodman launched her gallery in 1977 with a Marcel Broodthaers solo show

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • Los Angeles
  • Paris
  • France
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Marais district
  • West 57th Street
  • Midtown
  • Tribeca
  • Rockefeller Center
  • Germany
  • Marais
  • Rockefeller Centre
  • Manhattan

Sources