Bonhams presents The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, a deeply personal survey of Modern and American art assembled by the legendary actor, to be offered in a dedicated Single-Owner sale on November 19 in New York.
Comprising 13 works by leading artists including Auguste Rodin (1840–1917), Milton Avery (1885–1965), and Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993), the collection will precede Bonhams' 20th & 21st Century Art Evening Sale that same day.
Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades, Hackman (1930–2025) earned distinction as one of the greatest screen actors of his generation, receiving two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and widespread recognition for his versatility and intensity in films such as The French Connection (1971), The Conversation (1974), Unforgiven (1992), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). His art collection reflects the same intellectual rigour and emotional depth that defined his acting – built not by trends, but through instinct and curiosity.
Hackman's lifelong interest in art intensified following his retirement from acting. A practicing illustrator and sculptor, Hackman immersed himself in art, building his collection with care and discernment – annotating catalogues raisonnés, pursuing scholarship, and carefully studying the artists he most admired. The resulting collection is profoundly personal, spanning categories of Post-War and Contemporary art, Western and Native American art, photography, and prints.
Andrew Huber, Bonhams Head of 20th & 21st Century Art, US, comments: "These are prestigious works with impeccable provenance, further enriched by their association with one of the greatest actors of our time. Hackman was not only a collector but an artist himself, and his approach to collecting mirrors the care, aesthetic sensibility, and discipline evident in his own artistic practice. This is a collection shaped with extraordinary thoughtfulness and passion."
Leading the live auction of Hackman's collection is Figure on the Jetty by American modernist Milton Avery (1885–1965). Estimated at $500,000 – 700,000, this painting, depicting a lone figure on a jetty gazing out to sea, is likely inspired from his summers of 1957 through 1960 spent in Provincetown, Massachusetts and reflects Avery's mature style, prominently featured throughout his oeuvre. The present work also boasts an extensive exhibition history, having been shown at major galleries and institutions including Grace Borgenicht Gallery, and the Miami University Museum of Art. It was previously held by the Chrysler Museum of Art, formerly the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences, prior to entering Hackman's private collection in 1997, where it has remained for over 25 years.
Another standout within the collection is Green, 1986, by Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993). Estimated at $300,000 – 500,000, this colour etching is not only the largest but also thought to be Diebenkorn's most important print of his prominent Ocean Park series. Bonhams currently holds the world auction record for an impression from this edition, having sold one for $572,000 in March 2024. An additional highlight in the sale is a monumental bronze by Auguste Rodin (1840–1917), estimated at $200,000 – 300,000. Large-scale works by Rodin, such as this example, are rare at auction, making this offering a particularly notable one.
Lilly Chan, Bonhams Managing Director, US, remarks: "This cross-category collection exemplifies what Bonhams does best, bringing together fine art, cultural history, and film heritage in one of the most anticipated events of our global calendar. Gene Hackman's collection is a headline moment in its own right – an unprecedented opportunity to engage with the legacy of a true creative icon."
In parallel with the live auction, Bonhams will also present two online sales, The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, Part II and Part III, with the first online sale running in New York from November 8–21, and the second in Los Angeles from November 25–December 4. These online auctions will feature Hackman's personal artworks, annotated books from his library, scripts, posters, and cinematic memorabilia, including three Golden Globes: two for Best Performance in Unforgiven (1993) and The Royal Tenenbaums (2002), and the Cecil B. De Mille Lifetime Achievement he received in 2003, all estimated at $3,000 – 5,000.
Anna Hicks, Bonhams Head of Private & Iconic Collections, US, adds: "Together, these sales offer an intimate portrait of Hackman's private world and a rare opportunity for collectors to engage with his creative life. Whether through the art, scripts, or personal objects, what emerges is more than a collection – it is a life lived with purpose, curiosity, and uncompromising vision."