Art

Sotheby’s to Auction Barbara Gladstone Collection in May

Sotheby’s will auction works from Barbara Gladstone’s personal collection this May, including Prince, Warhol, and Stingel, with estimates over $12 million.

Por: Angela Leon Cervera
Barbara Gladstone Sotheby’s auction
‘Selections from The Collection of Barbara Gladstone’. Courtesy of Sotheby's

This May 2025, Sotheby’s will present a standalone evening sale dedicated to works from the personal collection of the late Barbara Gladstone, the visionary art dealer who passed away in 2024 at the age of 89. The auction, which precedes the May 15 contemporary evening sale, is expected to exceed $12 million across just 12 lots.

 

The collection offers a rare look into the personal tastes of a gallerist whose influence shaped contemporary art for over four decades. While many works feature artists she represented, others were simply artists she admired, highlighting her range and impact as a collector.

Barbara Gladstone Sotheby’s auction
‘Selections from The Collection of Barbara Gladstone’. Courtesy of Sotheby's

What Are the Top Lots in the Gladstone Sale?

  • Richard Prince, Man Crazy Nurse (2002–03) — Est. $4M–$6M. Acquired from a 2003 exhibition at Gladstone Gallery.

  • Richard Prince, Are You Kidding? (1988) — Est. $2.5M–$3.5M. From the artist’s Monochromatic Joke series.

  • Andy Warhol, Flowers (black variant) — Est. $1M–$1.5M.

  • Rudolf Stingel, Untitled (2006) — Est. $1.5M–$2M.

  • Mike Kelley, Memory Ware Flat #42 — Est. $700,000–$1M.

All works come directly from Gladstone’s personal living spaces, reflecting her discerning eye and collecting ethos.

Barbara Gladstone Sotheby’s auction
‘Selections from The Collection of Barbara Gladstone’. Courtesy of Sotheby's
Barbara Gladstone Sotheby’s auction
‘Selections from The Collection of Barbara Gladstone’. Courtesy of Sotheby's

Who Was Barbara Gladstone and Why Does This Matter?

Since founding Gladstone Gallery in 1980, she built a global platform for artists including Alex Katz, Anicka Yi, and Carrie Mae Weems, and stewarded key artist estates like those of Robert Mapplethorpe and Keith Haring.

 

This marks the first public offering from her estate and could be followed by future sales. The auction not only serves as a tribute to her legacy but also invites collectors to engage with artworks that defined her life’s work.

How Might the Works Perform in a Cooling Market?

Despite ongoing caution in the broader art market, experts like Allan Schwartzman, trustee of the Gladstone estate, remain optimistic.

 

“My experience with the art market is that when exceptional works come forward, collectors meet those works, even if they’re offered at times when people wouldn’t otherwise be seeking to buy,” Schwartzman told Bloomberg.

FAQ – Barbara Gladstone Sotheby’s Auction

  • When is the auction? Just before the May 15 evening contemporary sale at Sotheby’s New York.
  • What’s the total estimate? Over $12 million across 12 works.
  • Which artists are featured? Richard Prince, Andy Warhol, Rudolf Stingel, Mike Kelley, among others.
  • Are all works by artists she represented? No—some are by artists she collected independently of her gallery.
  • Will there be more sales from her estate? Possibly, though this is the first public offering.
Barbara Gladstone Sotheby’s auction
‘Selections from The Collection of Barbara Gladstone’. Courtesy of Sotheby's

The upcoming Barbara Gladstone Sotheby’s auction is not just about market value—it’s about legacy. With a slate of deeply personal selections, the sale offers collectors a glimpse into the private world of a dealer who helped shape what we now call contemporary art.

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