Modigliani Leads Sotheby's Sale of Joe Lewis's Art

The full scope of art collected by the billionaire Joe Lewis that has been consigned to Sotheby's by his family collection has been announced today, June 5, ahead of its display and then sale later this month in London.

Among the collection's highlights is a Modigliani nude, deemed "scandalous" upon its debut at Berthe Weill's gallery in Paris in 1917. It has an estimated value of at least $60m.

There are seven works by Picasso, including a portrait of his partner and fellow artist Dora Maar.

Further consigned works include pieces by Klimt, Schiele, Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon. They are in various media, including oil on canvas, bronze sculpture, and works on paper.

A selection of the 48 works go on show in London on June 10 at Sotheby’s.

The sale has an estimate value that is north of $270m, making it the highest for any single-owner collection ever offered at auction in Europe.