A Sense of Discovery: The Unparalleled Collection of Ann & Gordon Getty

Extensive and eclectic, the Gettys' collection of fine and decorative art is one of the most important to ever come to market. Whether digging for ancient artifacts in Ethiopia or searching for an object’s long-lost pair, Ann Getty was dedicated to the hunt. A walk through any Getty residence - each of which created conversation through rich and unexpected configurations - was a crash course in human and art history. Known for her discerning taste and love of the eclectic, Ann, along with her husband, the philanthropist and composer Gordon Getty, built one of the most important collections of fine and decorative arts in the last fifty years.
This October, a series of landmark sales at Christie’s New York will offer nearly 1,500 cornerstone works from the storied collection. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation for the Arts, which supports arts and science organisations around the world.
Explore the collection here: www.christies....

[@uberglamazon]

Breathtaking. The connoissurship, the dialogs, the depth, the true magical spirit of two collectors of the most beautiful objects on the planet is simply astounding.

[@indikatillakaratne9634]

What can I say ...... I am speechless. This is beyond GLORIUOS !!!!!! XXXXXXXXX

[@ripecolor5496]

It would be wonderful to have that much money time and resources to collect such magnificent objects😃

[@andyroo9381]

I imagine having such wealth and freedom would be like opening a gift, to yourself, every day.

[@andyroo9381]

This is an incredible collection. All of it was just beautiful. You want to touch everything. I really liked the tall Ibex birds that were displayed, too briefly, in this short film.

[@henrylivingstone2971]

It’s not an ibex. It’s a crane, I think you meant to say ibis but an ibis doesn’t look like that. An ibis lacks the long legs of wading birds like cranes. An ibex is a type of goat.

[@michelez715]

Stunning. Some wealthy people commissioned agents and dealers to buy them treasures, but this appears to be the Gettys' own choices, and they are beautifully displayed.

[@GraceCanadaful]

How many people have to go around dusting all those treasures?

[@lindamon5101]

Getty Museum please do not move a thing.

[@henrylivingstone2971]

This collection isn’t owned by the Getty foundation. The Getty museums were created by Jean Paul Getty, the oil billionaire, this is his sons house, Gordon Getty. In fact, I think famously the Getty children are not in good terms with the Getty museum trust. And they’ve had litigation against each other over ownership of artwork. So yeah, the Getty museum has no power here.

[@lindamon5101]

@@henrylivingstone2971 oh ok. Well there could easily be several Getty Museums II iii, IV &V. It would be criminal to not give this to the people to enjoy. Volumes written& enjoyed here. Too nice to break up imho.

[@lindamon5101]

Money talks...

[@henrylivingstone2971]

@@lindamon5101 There already is a Getty museum II. It’s the Getty villa in Malibu. I think you fail to understand how very very VERY expensive it is to run a museum. There’s the logistical cost, conservation, preservation, security, staffing, and infrastructure. Also where would they get the money to establish the museum? The Getty foundation might be the richest museum in the world with an endowment of over 2 billion dollars but there are very specific uses for the money. It’s for acquisition and conservation, that’s it. Also as I’ve stated both Gordon and the late Ann Getty were not in good terms with the Getty foundation. It is unlikely that there will ever be a collaborative effort to preserve these items in situ. More unlikely now since the house has been stripped of its contents and the items are in storage awaiting sale.

[@lindamon5101]

@@henrylivingstone2971 what a shame. Sad how money tears families apart everyday over stuff. Blood might be thicker than water and in the end, you cant take it with. Thankyou Henry for the splainy it is fascinating how an incredibly pieced together collection can be dismanteled by the blink of an eye or a series of bad days. Is it luck? Im saddened either way about this collection being blown into the wind like a dandilion in fall. Just sad. Getty losties.

[@greghill7759]

Viewed as individual objects, this is a stunning collection. But having them in every room, taking up every square inch of space and endlessly vying for consideration would drive me stark staring mad. These items were never intended to work together in such an excessive manner. Even museums ensure that space is given over, in order to fully appreciate the objects on display. I've seen this sort of thing in run-down council houses (though with items far less exotic), and there's nothing exciting or tasteful about it. This level of acquisitive hoarding can only be described as bordering on mental illness. The only person who would enthuse over this idea is a feather duster manufacturer.

[@andyroo9381]

I completely disagree with you. If I were in a museum, then I would expect items to be spaced apart. This is someone's home and not a museum. If this collection is a result of "mental illness" then it is the right mental illness to have.

[@greghill7759]

@@andyroo9381 And if I were in anyone's home, I would expect not to be plagued by such an absurd level of excess. This is a perfect celebration of quantity taking place over quality.

[@complimentary_voucher]

@@greghill7759 You could not be more wrong. It is quality AND quantity; it is ridiculous to suggest that one excludes the other. They had a lot of very nice things. You don't have to like it.

[@greghill7759]

@@complimentary_voucher Forgive me, but I suggest you read my remarks again. Firstly, I didn't say that one excluded the other. I said one took place over the other, which is a very different thing. Secondly, rather than "a lot of very nice things", I said they had a stunning collection. But I'm grateful for your confirmation that I don't have to like the way it's displayed.

[@henrylivingstone2971]

@@greghill7759 You need not worry about that. You would never get invited to a home owned by the likes of people like the Getty. You lack the grace or standing needed to even earn a passing glance of high society.

[@jhash9554]

Amazing. Sad that it has to be dismantled

[@faganquin6483]

Ann Getty had the most supreme taste, in everything!

[@AJFish-rm6cv]

I would buy a coffee table book documenting the rooms of this home. Please index everything, even the wallpaper, thank you.

[@bobatchison-pallasart-hagi8884]

Wow how wonderful to see that painting of Nijinsky - I hope it goes to a museum where the world can see it.

[@claudiocavaliere856]

Absolutely a breathtaking collection! Knowledge and good taste at its best! Absolutely enchanting! Congratulations!

[@tsvetomilivanov7618]

The Najinsky painting is sublime.

[@debshreebasu8137]

Goodness gracious. With the click of a button the commode goes one way and the door 🚶‍♀️ goes another way. Goodness gracious .

[@jessiejoseph1093]

Wow!

[@stevemiller7949]

Christie's creates incredible youtube content.🙂🙂

[@okaywow3486]

I had the pleasure of being inside this home many years ago. It is truly breathtaking.

[@jivory6888]

they lived well that is an amazing collection

[@gatabella3]

Amazing!

[@cacidan]

So happy to see this collection going out for auction 💯💎

[@kennethcrawford3888]

Incredible ! a giant jeweled box full of nothing more than beauty

[@SJawaher]

Outstanding ❤

[@schiatzeschiatze5002]

Absolutely divine!

[@adrianaalaniz.]

✨⭐✨⭐✨⭐✨

[@ninasedlar3547]

Bravo

[@sevengo6652]

It's breathtaking

[@정길주-w9p]

아주 멋찌고아름 댭습니다~~

[@rickrandom6734]

Fashion in the art world seems to be changing. Previously this kind of stuff was widely regarded as kitsch and bling bling.

[@snapperat212]

Gordon. A cerebral man. And a bigamist …

[@BeeBee10]

One can be cerebral and bigamist, imo

[@Pet.Wifey.Voice.Of.Reason]

This is like Quintessence on steroids! -edit - Holy "Chuy-Chuy"! I commented before I saw the portrait of Nijinsky. Talk about my needful thing! I swear, I would go full "I am God in my prick" crazy in public for this painting.

[@lindamon5101]

Easy tiger....

[@Pet.Wifey.Voice.Of.Reason]

@@lindamon5101 Hahaha!

[@henrylivingstone2971]

@@Pet.Wifey.Voice.Of.Reason It’s an absolutely mesmerizing portrait but it’s estimated $1,000,000-1,200,000

[@Pet.Wifey.Voice.Of.Reason]

@@henrylivingstone2971 Which means I'm going to have to twirl about and pleasure myself to a scarf if I have any shot at getting it... Okay, maybe a couple murders, too.

[@lindamon5101]

@@henrylivingstone2971 so what is your point Henry

[@stevenwilliambaylessparks3730]

Clutter of the mega-rich

[@perisssss]

I believe that for the fans of minimal (as I am), this is a "chaotic" decoration (of the negative side of the term "chaotic").

[@schiatzeschiatze5002]

One shouldn’t worry abut things he can’t afford darling. Minimal is liminal. Their taste is supremely divine. But I respect you, to each his own. Not everyone has money to spare, much less taste .

[@perisssss]

@@schiatzeschiatze5002 You are using phrases that not connected each other. "Minimal" not connected with the term "money" but with the term "space". You need more training/education, my suggestion is to do something for solving this issue.

[@Simonjose7258]

I'm having a hard time enjoying all the beautiful works of art without having that anxiety when you watch Hoarders. And all the Dust!? 🤯🙉🙈 (Edit: Somehow that it will be sold and dispersed makes it all much better. Time to go shopping 🛍😅)

[@notnek202]

Some people have way to much money.

[@complimentary_voucher]

I just feel like you should be able to spell a three letter word correctly before making that statement lol.

[@notnek202]

@@complimentary_voucher does K stand Karen?

[@henrylivingstone2971]

@@notnek202 Does I stand for illiterate?

[@notnek202]

@@henrylivingstone2971 are you a minor attracted person?

[@willyummiest]

Eat the rich

[@complimentary_voucher]

But keep their things!