Gene Hackman’s Art Collection and Memorabilia Auctioned at Bonhams

Bonhams will host a series of auctions this November featuring the art collection, film memorabilia, and personal belongings of the late Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman. The events, including one live auction and two online sales, aim to provide an intimate insight into the private life and artistic passions of Hackman, who passed away in February 2025 at the age of 95.

The first auction, titled Gene Hackman: A Life in Art, Part I, is scheduled for November 19, 2023, at Bonhams in New York. This sale will showcase fine artworks from Hackman’s personal collection, featuring notable pieces by artists such as Milton Avery, Richard Diebenkorn, and Auguste Rodin.

Among the highlighted lots is Avery’s Figure on the Jetty (1957), which has an estimated value between $500,000 (£395,000) and $700,000 (£555,000). Hackman acquired this painting at Sotheby’s New York in 1997 for $244,500 (£193,000). Another key piece is Diebenkorn’s Green (1986), a color etching expected to fetch between $300,000 (£237,000) and $500,000 (£395,000). Additionally, a Rodin sculpture is estimated to sell for $200,000 (£158,000) to $300,000 (£237,000), although specific details are still pending from Bonhams.

Andrew Huber, Head of 20th & 21st Century Art at Bonhams, remarked that the auction reflects Hackman’s lifelong commitment to visual culture. “These are prestigious works with impeccable provenance, further enriched by their association with one of the greatest actors of our time,” Huber stated in an interview with People. He noted that Hackman’s collecting habits mirrored the care and aesthetic sensibility evident in his own artistic practice.

Following the first auction, two additional online sales, Part II from November 8 to November 21 and Part III from November 25 to December 4, will broaden the auction’s scope to include Hackman’s personal artworks, annotated film scripts, signed posters, and other memorabilia from his extensive career in film.

Bonhams will also auction two of Hackman’s Golden Globe trophies: one for his Oscar-winning role in Unforgiven (1993) and another for The Royal Tenenbaums (2002). Additionally, his Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award from 2003 will be featured. Other notable items include a still-life painting by Hackman, estimated at $1,000 (£790) to $1,500 (£1,185), and books from his personal library, which highlight his deep interest in history and storytelling.

Anna Hicks, Head of Private and Iconic Collections at Bonhams, described the auction as an opportunity to glimpse the man behind the fame. “Together, these sales offer an intimate portrait of Hackman’s private world and a rare opportunity for collectors to engage with his creative life,” she said. Hicks emphasized that the items represent more than mere collections; they reflect a life lived with purpose, curiosity, and vision.

Hackman’s artistic journey began long before his retirement from film. He served on the board of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, narrated a documentary about the painter, and advocated for contemporary art in the American Southwest. After retiring from acting in 2004 following his role in Welcome to Mooseport, Hackman devoted more time to painting and writing. His passion for art intensified in his later years, as described by Bonhams, with his home becoming a sanctuary filled with works that mirrored his appreciation for subtle emotion and modernist themes.

Hackman and his wife, classical musician Betsy Arakawa, shared a love for art and music. The couple, who married in 1991, led a private life away from Hollywood until both passed away in February 2025 at their Santa Fe home.

Bonhams has characterized the Gene Hackman Collection as a rare window into the mind of a disciplined and instinctive artist. For fans and collectors alike, the upcoming auctions not only celebrate Hackman’s cinematic legacy but also honor his enduring connection to the world of art, providing a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to creation, collection, and inspiration.