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Lot Essay
Born on September 2, 1937, Joan Hartley Hotchkis showed an extraordinary love for the arts from a young age. After graduating from Endicott College in Massachusetts, she followed her passion to New York, beginning her career at an international auction house where she immersed herself in various disciplines in the arts. Later, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she advanced within the firm to become the Vice President of Communications and Promotion.
It was in the same city where she met her lifelong partner, John, a Los Angeles businessman and co-founder of Trust Company of the West and investment firm Hotchkis & Wiley. In the spring of 1982, they fell in love at first sight at a Dodgers game, where they both had been invited by Peter O’Malley, then President of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his wife, Annette. It was the beginning of their thirty-four beautiful years of marriage. During the marriage, Joan became stepmother to four children, one of whom began her career at Christie’s in New York and London, much like Joan herself.
The connection between the couple extended far beyond love. Both shared an unwavering commitment to philanthropy. Coming from a family with a longstanding tradition of patronage, John wholeheartedly supported Joan’s charitable endeavors. Over the years, they became instrumental in shaping the cultural landscape of Los Angeles through their generous giving, supporting various institution such as the Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Music Center. In particular, in the early 2000s, Joan took on the role as the President of the Blue Ribbon, the women’s organization of the Music Center, demonstrating exceptional leadership and cultural patronage.
As much as Joan is remembered for her remarkable philanthropic leadership, she is equally admired for her elegant style and refined taste. At her stunning residences in Bel Air, Pasadena and St. Malo, she maintained a beautiful wardrobe of pieces acquired at various times of her life, each of which she cherished and frequently wore at the various events she attended as a patron of the arts. From the Bulgari Ruby and Diamond Earrings to David Webb Diamond Necklace, the pieces embody mid-century aesthetic that remains both timeless and elegant, commemorative of her unique style that belonged to no one else.
It was in the same city where she met her lifelong partner, John, a Los Angeles businessman and co-founder of Trust Company of the West and investment firm Hotchkis & Wiley. In the spring of 1982, they fell in love at first sight at a Dodgers game, where they both had been invited by Peter O’Malley, then President of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his wife, Annette. It was the beginning of their thirty-four beautiful years of marriage. During the marriage, Joan became stepmother to four children, one of whom began her career at Christie’s in New York and London, much like Joan herself.
The connection between the couple extended far beyond love. Both shared an unwavering commitment to philanthropy. Coming from a family with a longstanding tradition of patronage, John wholeheartedly supported Joan’s charitable endeavors. Over the years, they became instrumental in shaping the cultural landscape of Los Angeles through their generous giving, supporting various institution such as the Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Music Center. In particular, in the early 2000s, Joan took on the role as the President of the Blue Ribbon, the women’s organization of the Music Center, demonstrating exceptional leadership and cultural patronage.
As much as Joan is remembered for her remarkable philanthropic leadership, she is equally admired for her elegant style and refined taste. At her stunning residences in Bel Air, Pasadena and St. Malo, she maintained a beautiful wardrobe of pieces acquired at various times of her life, each of which she cherished and frequently wore at the various events she attended as a patron of the arts. From the Bulgari Ruby and Diamond Earrings to David Webb Diamond Necklace, the pieces embody mid-century aesthetic that remains both timeless and elegant, commemorative of her unique style that belonged to no one else.