Barry Humphries: the personal collection Christie’s London, 13 February 2025
Barry Humphries at home, 2021, detail of photograph ©Tereza Červeňová
London – Christie’s will present a rare window in to the erudite collection of Barry Humphries (1934–2023) in a live auction in London on 13 February 2025. The world renowned Australian performer, best known for his characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, started collecting in his teens, and over more than half a century built a collection driven by knowledge, passion and curiosity. Comprising approximately 250 lots, estimates range from £200 to £300,000. The full pre-sale exhibition will be on public view from 7 February to 12 February.
“Barry Humphries is best remembered for his comedic genius, but behind this famous figure was a true polymath and connoisseur. His passion for collecting and his insatiable appetite for deepening his knowledge was the driving force behind the acquisition of these fascinating and very diverse works of art. This refined and engaging collection provides compelling insights into the private world of this very public performer. Wherever you are, I encourage you to browse online at Christies.com; we look forward to welcoming everyone to the free public view at our headquarters in London.”
Humphries’s renowned group of works by Australian painter Charles Conder stars Sand dunes, Ambleteuse, which leads the sale (estimate: £200,000-300,000). Elsewhere, his collection includes: the best of fin-de-siècle decadent literature, including an astonishing collection of Oscar Wilde related material led by a presentation copy of The Importance of Being Earnest; 19th century European and Symbolist Art with works by Khnopff, Delville and von Stuck; alongside examples of Impressionist and Modern British Art by Sluijters and Sir William Nicholson, and Modern Design including a chandelier by Edgar Brandt. The sale will also offer highlights from Dame Edna Everage’s Personal Collection, ranging from costume and ‘face furniture’ (glasses), to caricatures.
About Christie’s
Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 7 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market. Christie’s is also committed to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide. To learn more, browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at christies.com or by downloading Christie’s apps. The auction house can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
