DC’s Phillips Collection Selling Its Masterpieces: Reasons Explained
Sotheby’s recently made headlines with the sale of a Gustav Klimt painting for $236 million, but another significant auction event is slated to draw attention. Three masterpieces from Washington, DC’s Phillips Collection will be auctioned at Sotheby’s, amidst public and familial criticism of the deaccession.
The paintings on auction, slated for November 20, include Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Large Dark Red Leaves on White” (1927), Georges Seurat’s “Clowns et poney” (1883–84), and Arthur Dove’s “Rose and Locust Stump” (1943). The expected total revenue from these sales is $14.8 million, intended to fund new acquisitions and the museum’s maintenance.
Deaccessioning, approved under guidelines by the American Alliance of Museums and the American Association of Museum Directors, has nevertheless faced opposition. Liza Phillips, granddaughter of the museum founders, expressed disappointment, emphasizing the paintings’ public significance and lamenting their potential sale to private buyers.
Despite the approval of Phillips Collection’s board and trustees, and the involvement of descendants in the decision, the move has sparked debate. Initiated as part of a strategic plan, these sales support an effort to align with founder Duncan Phillips’s vision of an evolving museum. Hyperallergic has also queried the process for the sale of seven other artworks not yet announced.
The potential record bids for these artworks highlight their cultural and historical value. The O’Keeffe piece is set to fetch $5–6 million, while Seurat and Dove’s works are anticipated to receive $3–5 million and $1.2–1.8 million, respectively. Critics, including Eric Gibson of the Wall Street Journal, argue the sales are risky compared to traditional fundraising. With museums like the Baltimore Museum of Art facing backlash for similar decisions, the ethical considerations in using deaccession funds remain a contentious issue within the art community.
The financial necessity of this decision is unclear, with the Phillips Collection reporting a $3.6 million net loss last year, despite growing total assets. The outcomes of these sales may offer insights into the evolving practices and controversies surrounding museum funding and maintenance strategies.