The art world is abuzz with the upcoming auction of the Antonio Homem Sonnabend Collection a treasure trove of post-war and contemporary art that is expected to fetch over $50 million at Christie’s this fall. This collection, curated by the late Antonio Homem Sonnabend, is a testament to his lifelong dedication to art and his parents’ influential roles in the art world.
Antonio, the adopted son of renowned art dealers Ileana and Michael Sonnabend oversaw a vast collection that includes works from the late 1950s and 1960s. The auction will feature pieces by Jeff Koons, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol among others, showcasing the rich tapestry of artistic movements from that era.
The Sonnabend Legacy
The Sonnabend family has been a cornerstone in the art world for decades. Ileana Sonnabend, in particular, was instrumental in bridging the gap between European and American art scenes. She introduced European audiences to iconic American artists like Warhol, Johns, Lichtenstein, and Rauschenberg, while also bringing European talents such as Gilbert & George and Michelangelo Pistoletto to the United States.
Antonio Homem Sonnabend continued this legacy, taking over the Sonnabend Gallery in New York’s Soho neighborhood in 1971. The gallery moved to Chelsea in 2000, and after Ileana’s passing in 2007, Antonio became the director. In 2009, he established the Sonnabend Collection Foundation to preserve his family’s artistic heritage.
The Auction Highlights
The auction will take place across Christie’s 20th/21st Century Evening Sales in London, Paris, and New York. Notable pieces include Mario Schifano’s A de Chirico (1962) Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Can (Turkey Noodle) (1962) and Robert Rauschenberg’s Triple Rauschenberg [Bob Rauschenberg #2] (1962). These works are not just pieces of art; they are historical artifacts that capture the essence of their time.
Proceeds from the sale of two paintings by Lichtenstein and Warhol will go towards building an endowment for the Sonnabend Collection Mantova a museum that Antonio helped open in northern Italy in 2025. The museum houses works by Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Koons, continuing the family’s mission to foster a transatlantic exchange of art and ideas.
The Future of the Sonnabend Collection
Antonio’s son, Antonio Phokion Potamianos-Homem, expressed the family’s commitment to carrying on their parents’ vision. “We proudly carry on Ileana and Antonio’s transatlantic vision, ensuring a vital exchange of artists and artworks between Europe and America,” he said. The family plans to launch an ambitious cycle of international exhibitions, starting with a major show at the Palazzo Esposizioni in Rome this November.
Sara Friedlander, Chairman of Post-War and Contemporary Art at Christie’s, highlighted the significance of the collection. “Ileana Sonnabend’s role in the trajectory of Post-War and Contemporary art cannot be overstated. The collection is a reflection of the groundbreaking Sonnabend Gallery program, with a vast array of exceptional paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, prints, and design that exemplify the very finest in post-war artistic movements across Europe and the US.”
The auction is not just an event but a celebration of the Sonnabend family’s enduring impact on the art world. It offers a unique opportunity for collectors to own pieces that have been cherished by one of the most influential families in art history.
