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The Collection of Agnes Gund, Property Sold with the intent to Benefit Charitable Causes
FRED MULTI-COLORED SAPPHIRE, SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND NECKLACE
Details
FRED MULTI-COLORED SAPPHIRE, SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND NECKLACE
Cushion and round colored sapphires of purple, yellow and green hues, round sapphires, round and baguette-cut diamonds, 20k yellow gold, signed Fred
Size/Dimensions: 38.1 cm (15 cm)
Gross Weight: 186.5 grams
Cushion and round colored sapphires of purple, yellow and green hues, round sapphires, round and baguette-cut diamonds, 20k yellow gold, signed Fred
Size/Dimensions: 38.1 cm (15 cm)
Gross Weight: 186.5 grams
Further Details
Agnes Gund was a singular figure in the cultural landscape, a visionary collector, an influential philanthropist and a leader whose belief in the power of art shaped institutions and lives. Born in Cleveland in 1938, she developed an early engagement with the visual arts through classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art. An inspiring art history teacher later deepened her understanding of how to look at and think about art, establishing the foundation for the distinguished collecting life that followed.
Her celebrated career in the arts, marked by decades of leadership at the Museum of Modern Art and other major institutions, frames the works she championed. Gund acquired Mark Rothko’s No. 15 (Two Greens and Red Stripe) directly from the artist in 1967, the year she joined MoMA’s International Council. The painting became a cornerstone of a collection that grew to include major works by Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns and Brice Marden. Cy Twombly’s Untitled (1961) exemplifies the lyrical mark making that secured his place among the most important post‑war painters, while Joseph Cornell’s Untitled (Medici Princess) represents the pinnacle of his celebrated Medici series. Together, these works reflect Gund’s instinct for artists who expanded the possibilities of their medium.
Her commitment to art was inseparable from her commitment to public good. Gund joined the MoMA Board in 1976 and later served as its president for 11 years before becoming President Emerita, expanding the museum’s reach and advancing the representation of women artists and artists of color. In 1977 she founded “Studio in a School”, restoring arts education to New York City public schools during a period of severe budget cuts. Her service extended across the cultural sector through roles with MoMA PS1, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Morgan Library and Museum and the Center for Curatorial Leadership. A civic leader and advocate for education, environmental concerns and social justice, she also served on the boards of organizations including the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, the Andy Warhol Foundation and the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. Her lifelong belief in the power of art to effect social change culminated in 2017 with the creation of the Art for Justice Fund, a major initiative dedicated to criminal justice reform.
Gund’s refined aesthetic was equally evident in her jewelry collection, which she approached with the same emphasis on craftsmanship and expressive design that guided her art collecting. Her pieces range from a lively multi‑colored sapphire, sapphire and diamond necklace to a pair of striking diamond earrings, forming an assemblage of wearable art that reflected her modernist eye. Proceeds from the sale of these jewels will further Gund’s lifelong commitments, sustaining the projects, causes and institutions that defined her work. Christie’s is proud to present The Collection of Agnes Gund, Property Sold with the Intent to Benefit Charitable Causes.
Her celebrated career in the arts, marked by decades of leadership at the Museum of Modern Art and other major institutions, frames the works she championed. Gund acquired Mark Rothko’s No. 15 (Two Greens and Red Stripe) directly from the artist in 1967, the year she joined MoMA’s International Council. The painting became a cornerstone of a collection that grew to include major works by Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns and Brice Marden. Cy Twombly’s Untitled (1961) exemplifies the lyrical mark making that secured his place among the most important post‑war painters, while Joseph Cornell’s Untitled (Medici Princess) represents the pinnacle of his celebrated Medici series. Together, these works reflect Gund’s instinct for artists who expanded the possibilities of their medium.
Her commitment to art was inseparable from her commitment to public good. Gund joined the MoMA Board in 1976 and later served as its president for 11 years before becoming President Emerita, expanding the museum’s reach and advancing the representation of women artists and artists of color. In 1977 she founded “Studio in a School”, restoring arts education to New York City public schools during a period of severe budget cuts. Her service extended across the cultural sector through roles with MoMA PS1, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Morgan Library and Museum and the Center for Curatorial Leadership. A civic leader and advocate for education, environmental concerns and social justice, she also served on the boards of organizations including the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, the Andy Warhol Foundation and the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. Her lifelong belief in the power of art to effect social change culminated in 2017 with the creation of the Art for Justice Fund, a major initiative dedicated to criminal justice reform.
Gund’s refined aesthetic was equally evident in her jewelry collection, which she approached with the same emphasis on craftsmanship and expressive design that guided her art collecting. Her pieces range from a lively multi‑colored sapphire, sapphire and diamond necklace to a pair of striking diamond earrings, forming an assemblage of wearable art that reflected her modernist eye. Proceeds from the sale of these jewels will further Gund’s lifelong commitments, sustaining the projects, causes and institutions that defined her work. Christie’s is proud to present The Collection of Agnes Gund, Property Sold with the Intent to Benefit Charitable Causes.
Brought to you by
Claibourne Poindexter
Head of Jewelry, Americas