The story of one of the greatest collections of Old Masters to come to auction in recent memory begins in earnest with a tiny jewel. During a visit to a Sotheby’s exhibition in January 1998, Mrs. Jordan Saunders encountered Francesco Guardi’s intimate painting of Venice, A View of the Church of the Redentore. So struck by its beauty, she described the work as “a little jewel” and swore “I heard that little picture speak to me.” A subsequent conversation with George Wachter, Sotheby’s Chairman and Co-Worldwide Head of Old Master Paintings, and the purchase that followed, was to mark the beginning of a collecting adventure that resulted in one of the finest Old Master collections assembled in our times.
With the help and guidance of George Wachter, the Saunders eagerly hunted for the masterworks that spoke to their keen eye for quality, beauty, rarity and provenance, assembling a collection remarkable both in its geographical scope and in its chronological sweep, ranging from 1520s Germany, by way of Dutch and Flemish, Italian, Spanish and French art of the 16th-19th centuries, and ending with an exceptional 1820s portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Comprising fifty-six works, many of which have been exhibited at leading institutions around the world, the collection will be offered for sale this May at Sotheby’s New York in a dedicated auction, with additional works offered in Sotheby’s Masters Week sale, and – with an estimate of $80-120m – is poised to break the record for any Old Masters collection offered at auction.
“Partnering with the Saunders to build this extraordinary collection has been one of the great privileges of my career – and a true adventure. Starting in the late 1990s, I helped them scour the world for the best of the best, travelling together – sometimes at a moment’s notice – to unearth great works and seize fleeting opportunities around the globe. This collection could never have been assembled without the Saunders’ steadfast determination, decisiveness, impeccable eye, and unwavering trust in me, for which I am deeply grateful. From exceptional Dutch pictures to marvelous Venetian Views by Guardi, from Lawrence’s unbelievably beautiful portrait to one of the most exquisite Meléndez still lifes, the collection is truly one of a kind. This auction is a profound full circle moment for me, and it is an honor to once again play a part in shepherding these works into the next great collections.”
George Wachter, Sotheby’s Chairman and co-worldwide Head of Old Master Paintings
Jordan & Thomas A. Saunders
Born in Ivor, Virginia, Thomas A. Saunders III developed a sharp business instinct from a young age; by the time he was 12 years old, he had grown his newspaper delivery route to be the largest in the city of Norfolk. A pioneering figure on Wall Street, Saunders spent 20 years at Morgan Stanley as a partner and managing director. Though initially collectors in other fields, notably Classic English and European Furniture, silver and ceramics, and Chinese Export porcelain, Tom Saunders and his wife Jordan spent years in dedicated pursuit of exceptional Old Master Paintings, seeking out works of the very best quality and provenance, and meeting a community of collectors and dealers along the way who shared their same passion.
“I can’t explain why I’m so drawn to this period. I do know that I am in awe of the artists’ techniques, the stories the pictures tell, all the tiny details and, in some, the hidden symbolism. Is it not remarkable the sheer beauty and freshness they all have, even after being on a canvas for hundreds of years?”
Jordan Saunders
Featuring Leading Artists from the 16th to the 19th Centuries. The Collection Will be Offered in New York in May with an Estimate of $80-120m.
Elegance & Wonder: Masterpieces from the Collection of Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III – 21st May. Sotheby’s New York MORE: DETAILS
A selection of works from the collection will highlight Sotheby’s Master Paintings sale – 22nd May
Travelling exhibition: London 28th February – 4th March, Amsterdam 10th – 14th March, Brussels 18th – 20th March, Los Angeles 10th – 11th April, Hong Kong 18th – 23rd April
