London and New York – Christie’s invites the world to delve into A Collecting Odyssey: Property from The Mougins Museum of Classical Art which will be offered across 6 sales over 12 months, in London, New York and Online, starting in London during Classic Week in December 2023 and closing a year later in December 2024. A celebration of the award-winning museum and its acclaimed collection, owned and founded by Christian Levett, the sales series will pay homage to the legacy of MACM (2011-2023), which recently announced an exciting artistic change of direction as the first major European museum dedicated to female artists, FAMM. Underpinned by Levett’s profound sense of storytelling, vision and passion for collecting art across all periods, with works in juxtaposition and conversation with each other, the auctions promise a rare and inspiring series of opportunities to acquire outstanding works spanning ancient art from Egypt, Greece and Rome through Neo-Classicism, to classically-inspired modern and contemporary artworks. The sales comprise approximately 400 works, including the world’s largest private collection of ancient arms and armour. Select early highlights from the first auction in the series will be on public view at Christie’s headquarters alongside the 20/21 pre-sale exhibition during Frieze week in London (6 to 11 October).                                              

Christian Levett, owner and founder of MACM commented: “I feel very fortunate that my globally renowned collection has given me and many others, via the Mougins Museum, so much pleasure; it is now time for these works to move into the next chapter of their respective ‘lives’. I am excited and proud to be providing collectors and museums with this unique opportunity to acquire world-class works to be enjoyed by themselves and public elsewhere, in their new settings.”

Amelia Walker, Christie’s London Head of Private and Iconic Collections commented: “We are thrilled to be bringing this wonderful collection to the world in 2023 and 2024. Christian Levett’s vision – the ground-breaking juxtaposition of works of art from antiquity to now – demonstrates the timeless appeal of the Classical world, which has inspired artists across millennia and continues to enthral art lovers today.” Elizabeth Seigel, Christie’s New York Head of Private and Iconic Collections agreed: “These sales present private buyers and institutions with amazing opportunities to acquire important works across periods. We look forward to welcoming the public to the global pre-sale exhibitions and sharing more details as the sales progress.”

Ancient to Modern Art from the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Part I will be offered in London on 7 December 2023, as part of Classic Week. The sale will comprise 57 lots, showcasing Greek, Roman and Egyptian art, alongside Old Masters and Contemporary artists, including Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley, illustrating the continued fascination with classical art through time spanning Antiquities, Old Masters, Impressionist and Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Prints and Sculpture. Highlights include:

Starting the new year with a bang, Arms and Armour from the Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Part I in New York in January 2024 will present approximately 40 lots from the largest private collection of ancient arms and armour in the world. Highlights include:

More information on lots in the first two sales in the series,

including confirmation of the New York sale date, will become available closer to the sales.

Having been open daily to the public for the past 12 years, the museum quickly gained international recognition when it was awarded the Apollo Magazine ‘New Museum of the Year Award’ in 2011. Two years later, it was the only French museum to be nominated in the European Museum of the Year Awards in 2013. It has received a number of French cultural awards, as well as Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence each year since it opened. Towards a quarter of a million visitors have enjoyed visiting the collection. Having recently closed, the museum will re-open in Summer 2024 with another exciting artistic direction as the first major European museum dedicated to female artists, FAMM. 

Over the last 28 years since Christian Levett started collecting, his interests have interchanged cross-category, and he has put together one of the most significant private collections spanning antiquities to contemporary art. Having been a patron of the Royal Academy, British Museum and National Gallery, he has sponsored a gallery at the Ashmolean, archaeological digs in the UK and Italy, as well as restoration projects in Florence. Going forward, in Summer 2024, his new museum FAMM (Female Artists of the Mougins Museum) will showcase works from The Christian Levett Collection by artists such as Joan Mitchell, Lee Krasner, Helen Frankenthaler, Grace Hartigan, Elaine de Kooning, Louise Bourgeois, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Howardena Pindell, Joan Semmel and Cecily Brown, as well as many more.

IMAGES FOR PRESS USE AVAILABLE HERE.