Miami Philanthropist’s $30 Million Art Trove Heads to Christie’s Auction Block
The art world is abuzz with the news that the expansive collection of the late Rosa de la Cruz, a Miami-based philanthropist and art collector, will be sold at Christie’s prestigious New York evening sales starting this May. De la Cruz, who passed away last month at 81, was a pivotal figure in Miami’s art scene.
A Legacy in Contemporary Art:
Together with her husband Carlos, de la Cruz built a remarkable collection estimated to encompass 1,000 works. The couple’s passion for contemporary art is evident in the diversity of their holdings. The collection features established “blue-chip” artists like Wade Guyton and Albert Oehlen, alongside rising stars like Su Su and Christina Quarles. This discerning eye for talent landed the de la Cruzes a coveted spot on the ARTnews Top 200 Collectors list multiple times.
Details of the Auction:
Artnet News first reported the sale, estimating the collection’s value at a staggering $30 million. Christie’s plans to offer the works across multiple auctions, with individual pieces ranging from an accessible $5,000 to a high-end of $5 million.
A Treasure Trove of Mendieta Works:
One of the collection’s highlights is the impressive holding of works by Cuban-born artist Ana Mendieta. As of 2015, when the de la Cruz’s Miami museum held a Mendieta exhibition, they reportedly owned a remarkable 24 pieces by her – the largest private collection of her work at the time, according to Artnet News.
Championing Artistic Voices:
Praising de la Cruz’s dedication to the artists she loved, Isabella Lauria, head of Christie’s 21st-century art evening sales, shared her enthusiasm with ARTnews: “Rosa was an extraordinarily generous patron who spent 20 years championing the artists she loved in depth.” Lauria also emphasized the significance of the Mendieta collection, highlighting the artist’s growing recognition: “The de la Cruz collection now exhibits the world’s most significant private holdings of Ana Mendieta, who sits amongst the most radical artistic voices of our time…We are truly thrilled to see how our collectors respond this spring.”
The upcoming sale presents a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to acquire pieces from this celebrated collection. With its focus on established and emerging artists, and the inclusion of a substantial Mendieta holding, the de la Cruz collection promises to be a major draw at Christie’s this spring.
Cover photo: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/miami-arts-patron-rosa-de-la-cruz-has-died-2441340
