Christie's record-breaking art auction from the personal collection of Monsoon founder, tell me about this news in (https://news.sky.com/story/christies-record-breaking-art-auction-from-the-personal-collection-of-monsoon-founder-13583722)
10-09-2026
This news covers Christie’s announcement of Monsoon: The Peter Simon Collection, an upcoming auction featuring nearly 200 works from the personal art collection of Peter Simon, the British businessman who founded the fashion retailer Monsoon (and Accessorize).Key Highlights of the News
- Record-Breaking Valuation: Estimated to fetch between £86.5 million and £126.7 million, it represents the highest-value single-owner collection ever offered at Christie’s London during a single marquee week.
- Standout Artworks:
- Francis Bacon: Two major paintings from different career eras, including Figure in Movement (1978), estimated at £14 million to £18 million, and Study for a Figure (c. 1945), estimated at £4 million to £6 million.
- Modern Masters: Works by Pablo Picasso (Crâne, lampe, poireaux, pichet, painted days before the end of World War II), Piet Mondrian (Composition A, with Double Line and Yellow, 1935), Joan Miró, and Fernand Léger.
- British & Contemporary Art: Pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson (a 1934 hand-carved wood relief estimated at £1m–£2m), Frank Auerbach (Study of Primrose Hill, estimated up to £3m), Leon Kossoff, Andy Warhol, Hurvin Anderson, and Cecily Brown.
- The Collector’s Inspiration: Peter Simon explained that his artistic eye was formed during his decades developing prints and textiles across India for Monsoon. He noted that parting with these works gives him the opportunity to free his walls and mind to explore new directions in collecting.
- Auction and Exhibition Dates:
- Public Exhibition: September 26 to October 1 at Christie’s London.
- Auctions: The Evening Sale will take place on October 14, the Day Sale on October 15 (during London’s Frieze Week), alongside an Online Sale running from October 1 to October 20.