In November 2025, Christie’s New York will present an extraordinary selection from the Weis Art Collection—a private trove valued above $180 million. This collection, assembled quietly over seventy years, includes modern masterpieces by Picasso, Rothko, Matisse, Mondrian, and more. Rarely exhibited publicly, these works have long been cherished by the Weis family in their Pennsylvania home and are now set to attract global attention during one of the decade’s most anticipated sales.
Who Are the Weises?
The Weis Art Collection was passionately assembled by Robert F. Weis, former chairman of Weis Markets, and Patricia G. Ross Weis, a renowned art enthusiast. Over seventy years, they collected masterpieces spanning the breadth of 20th-century modernism from Fauvism to Abstract Expressionism, reflecting intellectual curiosity and meticulous taste.
Why Did They Collect Art?
Their collection journey started more than five decades ago, driven by a shared love for art and research. Each acquisition mapped the evolution of modern movements, with works by Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian, Rothko, Miró, and more.
Collection Highlights
- Picasso’s “La Lecture (Marie-Thérèse)”, valued at $40 million.
- Matisse’s “Figure et bouquet (Tête ocre)”, worth up to $15 million.
- Mondrian’s “Composition with Red and Blue”, estimated at $20 million.
- Mark Rothko’s “No. 31 (Yellow Stripe)”, around $50 million.
- Additional ceramics, sculptures, and interwar modernist works bridge European and American art.
Upcoming Sale: November at Christie's
The entire collection will be featured in Christie’s New York auctions this November, with a dedicated single-owner evening sale for 18 masterpieces and the remainder integrated into marquee week events. Christie’s provided the family with a financial guarantee close to $200 million, underscoring the collection’s significance and market confidence.
Legacy and Market Impact
Few private American collections match the Weis trove for its quality, scope, and history. The sale is poised to be one of the decade’s defining art market moments, offering collectors and the public a rare glimpse into a world-class private assembly.
Is It One of the World's Most Valuable Private Collections?
The Weis Art Collection, valued at over $180 million, ranks among the most significant private collections seen at auction in recent years. Globally, there are some even larger collections, such as those held by the Nahmad family, David Geffen, and the Wildenstein family, each valued in the billions. While the Weis Collection is not the world’s largest, it stands as one of the major American consignments of the decade—a testament to passionate collecting and refined connoisseurship.
