Gene Hackman: A Life in Art — Bonhams New York to Auction the Late Actor’s Private Collection

This November, Bonhams New York will unveil The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, a rare and deeply personal glimpse into the private world of one of cinema’s greatest actors. Opening on November 19, 2025, the single-owner sale gathers 13 exceptional works by artists including Auguste Rodin, Milton Avery, and Richard Diebenkorn, each chosen with the same rigor, empathy, and curiosity that defined Hackman’s storied career.

For over five decades, Gene Hackman (1930–2025) captivated audiences with his unmistakable gravitas and emotional intensity. From The French Connection and The Conversation to Unforgiven and The Royal Tenenbaums, Hackman’s performances have left an indelible mark on film history. Yet beyond the camera, Hackman led a parallel creative life — one deeply entwined with the visual arts.

A Collector’s Eye, An Artist’s Soul

Following his retirement from acting, Hackman turned his attention fully to painting, illustration, and sculpture. He was not a collector in the conventional sense — there were no advisors or fashionable trends guiding his choices. Instead, his acquisitions reflected a personal dialogue with art and artists, informed by a lifelong curiosity and discipline.

“Hackman was not only a collector but an artist himself,” notes Andrew Huber, Bonhams’ Head of 20th & 21st Century Art, US. “His approach to collecting mirrors the care, aesthetic sensibility, and discipline evident in his own artistic practice.”

Among the collection’s highlights is Milton Avery’s Figure on the Jetty (1957–60), a serene meditation on solitude and reflection, estimated between $500,000 – $700,000. Exhibited widely and formerly part of the Chrysler Museum of Art, the work has remained in Hackman’s collection for over 25 years. Its quiet introspection feels fitting — a poetic echo of the actor’s own contemplative spirit.

Equally notable is Richard Diebenkorn’s Green (1986), an expansive color etching from the artist’s celebrated Ocean Park series, estimated at $300,000 – $500,000. The sale also includes a commanding bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin, a rare large-scale example valued at $200,000 – $300,000, connecting Hackman’s modern sensibility to classical form.

More Than a Sale — A Legacy Revealed

“This cross-category collection exemplifies what Bonhams does best,” says Lilly Chan, Bonhams Managing Director, US. “It brings together fine art, cultural history, and film heritage in one of the most anticipated events of our global calendar.”

In tandem with the live auction, Bonhams will host two online sales — The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, Part II (November 8–21, New York) and Part III (November 25–December 4, Los Angeles). These will include Hackman’s own drawings, annotated books, scripts, and cinematic memorabilia — from marked-up film posters to the three Golden Globe Awards he received for Unforgiven, The Royal Tenenbaums, and the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

Together, the sales offer a multidimensional portrait of Hackman’s inner life. As Anna Hicks, Bonhams’ Head of Private & Iconic Collections, observes: “What emerges is more than a collection — it is a life lived with purpose, curiosity, and uncompromising vision.”

A Life in Art

The Gene Hackman Collection reflects a man who never stopped searching — for truth, for beauty, for meaning. Whether in front of the camera or behind an easel, Hackman pursued the same goal: to understand the human condition and give it form.

In this final act, his legacy expands beyond cinema and enters the enduring language of art.

The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art
Live Auction: November 19, 2025 – Bonhams New York
Online Sales: Part II (Nov 8–21, New York); Part III (Nov 25–Dec 4, Los Angeles)
For details and catalogues, visit bonhams.com

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