Christie’s, the renowned auction house, has announced a monumental event in the art world: the sale of the cherished collection of Norman Lear, the prolific television writer, producer, and political luminary. Lear, who passed away in December at the remarkable age of 101, left behind not just a legacy of groundbreaking television but also a distinguished assortment of modern art that encapsulates his passion for social commentary and cultural dialogue.
The auction, set to take place during Christie’s 20th Century Evening Sale on May 16, will feature seven select pieces from Lear’s collection, with additional works slated for the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale, among others. Experts anticipate the entire collection to command upwards of $50 million, a testament to the enduring value of Lear’s artistic curation.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Norman Lear revolutionized the television landscape with groundbreaking shows like “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” Infusing his sitcoms with social realism and political commentary, Lear ignited a golden age of television, reshaping the American cultural conversation in the process. Beyond television, Lear was a fervent advocate for progressive causes, founding organizations like People for the American Way and spearheading initiatives such as Declare Yourself, aimed at promoting civic engagement.
Lear’s passion for art paralleled his commitment to social justice. A connoisseur of twentieth-century modern art, Lear cultivated friendships with artists like Robert Rauschenberg, whose work “Rodeo Palace (Spread)” from the “Spread” series will be among those offered at the auction. However, the crown jewel of Lear’s collection is David Hockney’s iconic Los Angeles landscape, “A Lawn Being Sprinkled,” estimated to fetch between $25 million to $35 million.
The collection also boasts pieces from luminaries such as Willem de Kooning, Ellsworth Kelly, and Joseph Cornell, reflecting Lear’s discerning taste and appreciation for artistic excellence. Notable among these is an Ed Ruscha word painting, “Truth” (1973), and a study of Roy Lichtenstein’s “I Love Liberty,” both emblematic of Lear’s unwavering commitment to advancing social causes.
Max Carter, Christie’s vice chairman of 20th and 21st Century Art, reflected on Lear’s collection, stating, “The art that Norman and Lyn collected together is, like his era-defining shows, marked as much by the exploration of ideas as by an exquisite sense of craft.”
Lear’s wife of over three decades, Lyn Davis Lear, an accomplished filmmaker and psychologist, played an integral role in shaping their shared artistic legacy. Elected to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s board of trustees in 2011, Lyn Davis Lear, alongside her husband and Cindy Horn, co-founded the Environmental Media Association, underscoring their commitment to environmental advocacy within the entertainment industry.
As the curtain rises on the auction of Norman Lear’s cherished collection, the world is reminded not only of his towering influence in the realms of television and politics but also of his profound impact on the world of art. Through his collection, Lear leaves behind a lasting testament to the power of creativity, social consciousness, and the enduring pursuit of justice.
