Anne Bass’ Fort Worth Art Collection To Be Auctioned at Christie’s

April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, but this May, Christie’s Auction House will be showering the art world with rare art treasures from the Bass House in Fort Worth. This once-in-a-lifetime auction is estimated to be worth $60 million. It will be held between May 12 and 15 in New York, as 19 renowned works of art, owned by Anne Bass, come to Rockefeller Center during Christie’s bi-annual 20^th and 21^st Century Art auction series.

When Anne Bass died in 2020, her vast fortune included a prized collection of artwork as well as her two residences, the New York City apartment which was her primary residence, and the architectural wonder that was commissioned by her, and her former husband Sid Bass in 1970 ― one of architect Paul Rudoph’s enduring masterpieces. Both homes were filled with museum-quality artwork, but after her divorce from Sid, Anne Bass’ Fort Worth home was rarely visited.

The art from her New York City apartment was sold by Christie’s in its May 2022 sale. Now, the collection that resided in Fort Worth will be offered to discerning collectors at this May’s sale.

“Art from the Bass House marks a triumphant continuation of the Bass collection at Christie’s, begun in 2022 with the record-breaking sale of The Collection of Anne H. Bass, in which 12 works from Mrs. Bass’s legendary Manhattan residence achieved a combined $363,087,500.”

Along with many others, Anne Bass was a champion of the arts in Fort Worth, especially of the Texas Ballet Theatre.

The Bass House Became an Elegant Backdrop For a Visionary Art Collection

Architect Paul Rudolph was commissioned by Sid and Anne Bass in 1970. It took shape at 1801 Deepdale Drive, in what was known as “New Westover,” which was filling in lovely lots near Shady Oaks Country Club. Many of the homes built during this era were a dramatic departure from the old world sensibility found in “Old Westover,” but none so dramatic or enduring as Paul Rudolph’s flight of fancy.

“The house provided the ideal setting for the couple’s world-class collection of contemporary painting and sculpture, further complemented by exquisite garden and landscape design by Russell Page and Robert Zion respectively,” according to Christie’s. Anne Bass was a collaborator on the landscape design of her home.

The residence remains Rudolph’s largest single-family project. It is a dramatic series of horizontal overlapping planes projected out in four directions around a central courtyard. The home’s white enameled steel framing adds a sense of “floating planes” within its many cantilevered overhangs.

“The structure has four main floors consisting of 12 levels with 14 different ceiling heights,” according to the Paul Rudolph Institute. It creates a striking white silhouette, with ample wall space and dedicated display for large works of art ― the home was a work of art filled with more works of art.

Anne Bass’ Art Collection ― In Search Of A New Home

“The Bass House was an experience of overpowering, almost spiritual beauty, with Paul Rudolph’s soaring interiors, Russell Page’s magical garden and the masterpieces on every surface — from Severini’s rare dancer and Calder’s exquisite Gypsophila to Rothko’s No. 4 (Two Dominants) [Orange, Plum, Black] — uniting the best and most visionary in architecture, landscape and art,” says Max Carter, vice chairman of 20th and 21st Century Art.

Works by Rothko and Stella once conversed in the piano room with two works from Agnes Martin’s untitled series. The living room was awash with color in works by Morris Louis and Frank Stella. A mobile sculpture by Alexander Calder enlivened the conversation pit, and the library was home to Peter Alexander’s wedge sculpture. The game room was topped by Ellsworth Kelly’s monumental, Blue Black Red.

Now, after more than half a century, these iconic artworks will be viewed by new admirers in new spaces.

“On 12 May, Christie’s will offer exceptional works from the famous residence in Art from the Bass House,” Christie’s promises. “Headlined by a rare Rothko hailing from 1950-1951, as well as works by Ellsworth Kelly, Alexander Calder , and Frank Stella, the collection will be sold as a single-owner presentation within the 20th Century Evening Sale, with additional works appearing in the Post-War & Contemporary Art Day Sale.”

Take the video tour of the Bass House to see where these artworks once lived as a collection. And, follow along on May 12 as they find new homes and are entrusted to a new set of visionary collectors.