Christie’s Open House 2014 to present over 100 exceptional artworks

KOLKATA: Open House 2014, the sixth annual summer exhibition of masterpieces that Christie’s has staged, will present over 100 exceptional artworks and objects by many of the most celebrated artists and craftsmen throughout the ages during a five-day free event in London, from 13-17 June 2014. Including rare and exquisite pieces, many on public display for the first time in generations, the exhibition will launch the summer auction season of sales taking place in June and July.

The exhibition is led by Francesco Guardi’s Venice, the Bacino di San Marco with the Piazzetta and the Doge’s Palace (estimate: £8-10 million) from the Baron Henri de Rothschild Collection, which was last publicly exhibited 60 years ago and is set to become one of the most valuable paintings by the artist ever to be sold at auction when it is offered for sale on 8 July 2014. Alongside works worth millions of pounds, the exhibition will also showcase exemplary antiquities, books and manuscripts, decorative arts, furniture, old master, impressionist and modern paintings, photographs and tribal art, with values from £10,000 upwards.

Christie’s pre-sale viewing days and auctions are always free to attend and open to the public throughout the year; Open House 2014 aims to encourage an even greater number of visitors to come and look at, experience and enjoy the masterpieces on display, and to watch or take part in the auctions themselves, either in person or via Christie’s LIVE. In response to record numbers of visitors in 2013, Open House 2014 will be open from 9am until 9pm on the first day of viewing and over the weekend of 14-15 June, and free tours by specialists will be staged twice a day at midday and 4pm throughout the five-day exhibition.

All the works displayed will be auctioned in London throughout June and July when international visitors and art collectors congregate for the summer art season.