Elegance & Wonder: An Extraordinary Collection of Great Masters’ Paintings

Masterpieces from the collection of Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III is heading to auction this month at Sotheby’s New York.

“Venice, A View of the Church of the Redentore,” 18th century, by Francesco Guardi. This Venetian view painting by Guardi was the catalyst for the philanthropist couple to collect Old Masters paintings. Sotheby's

One of the most storied private collections of Old Masters paintings assembled in recent history is heading to auction this month at Sotheby’s New York. Spanning the 16th to 19th centuries, the artworks—exquisite for their aesthetic, quality, and condition—will be sold across two sales.

In total, they are estimated to bring $80 to 120 million, making it the most valuable single-owner collection of this category to ever be auctioned. Most of the works will be offered in a dedicated sale, “Elegance & Wonder: Masterpieces from the Collection of Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III,” which will take place on May 21. The remaining works will be featured in the following day’s auction, “Master Paintings & Sculpture: 1300–1900.” The exhibition of the entire collection is on view from May 17 to 20, 2025, and is free and open to the public.