Mystery Canberra collector nets around $7m from 28-artwork sale
28 pictures from an unknown Canberra owner sold for $8.5 million, netting around $7 million after fees and taxes.
An anonymous Canberra art collector has sold 28 paintings and drawings for $8,518,500 in what the auction house called a "bliss bomb". After fees and taxes, the seller will pocket around $7 million.
Almost all the works are by Australian artists including Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Brett Whitely. One painting depicting the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings from the 1940s will stay in the city, though its location, private home, vault or public display, remains unknown.
The auction house says the collection began in the early 2000s when the owner made a deal with celebrated architect John Andrews to acquire works. Interest came from across Australia and overseas, with some galleries buying pieces.
The seller's identity is a mystery, though the auctioneers confirmed it was an individual, not an estate.
- 8,518,500 dollars
- Sale price
- Around 7 million dollars
- Net to seller
- 28 paintings and drawings
- Artworks sold
- Early 2000s
- Collection started
Why it mattersIt shows strong demand for quality Australian art and confirms Canberra holds serious art collectors with deep pockets.
AustraliaThe sale hints at who might be buying and selling major art in Canberra and raises questions about valuable collections held privately in the capital.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 53 min ago
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