Norman Lear Art Collection Auction: David Hockney Painting Bought in 1978 for $64,000 Expected to Fetch $25-$35 Million
variety.comMarc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events Norman Lear not only knew about television, but the late TV icon was also an influential art collector along with his wife of 37 years, Lyn Davis Lear.
And now, several pieces from the Lears’ art collection will hit the Christie’s auction block, including David Hockney’s 1967 “A Lawn Being Sprinkled.” When the “All in the Family” creator bought the work in 1978 for $64,000, it marked the highest price paid for a piece by the British artist.
Christie’s estimates it will bring in $25-$35 million after debuting during the 20th Century Evening Sale in New York City on May 16. “I remember when I first met Norman, he had a gallery,” Lyn Davis Lear told me. “He loved showing people art.” Norman Lear was introduced to the local Los Angeles art scene in the 1970s by agent-turned-television-producer Richard “Dick” Dorso. “They were great friends and whenever they had time off, Dick would take Norman around to galleries,” Lyn Davis Lear said. “He was real mentor.
A lot of our great pieces came from them walking around those art galleries.” Six other works will also debut alongside “A Lawn Being Sprinkled,” followed by additional works being offered in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale.
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