Gene Hackman’s Art and Legacy Auctioned at Bonhams This November

Bonhams is set to auction the art collection and personal belongings of the late Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman this November. The series of auctions, which includes one live event and two online sales, offers a unique glimpse into the artistic passions and personal life of Hackman, who passed away in February at the age of 95.

The first auction, titled Gene Hackman: A Life in Art, Part I, will take place on November 19, 2023, at Bonhams New York. This event will showcase fine artworks from Hackman’s extensive collection, featuring pieces by renowned artists such as Milton Avery, Richard Diebenkorn, and Auguste Rodin. Among the notable items is Avery’s Figure on the Jetty (1957), with an estimated value between $500,000 (£395,000) and $700,000 (£555,000). Hackman originally purchased this painting from Sotheby’s New York in 1997 for $244,500 (£193,000).

Another highlight of the auction is Diebenkorn’s Green (1986), a color etching expected to sell for between $300,000 (£237,000) and $500,000 (£395,000). A sculpture by Rodin, details of which are yet to be revealed by Bonhams, is estimated to fetch between $200,000 (£158,000) and $300,000 (£237,000).

According to Andrew Huber, Bonhams’ Head of 20th & 21st Century Art, the auction reflects Hackman’s lifelong dedication 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 emphasized that Hackman’s approach to collecting mirrors the aesthetic sensibility and discipline evident in his own artistic practice.

Following the first auction, two additional online sales, Part II (November 8–21) and Part III (November 25–December 4), will broaden the offerings to include Hackman’s personal artworks, annotated film scripts, signed posters, and keepsakes from his six-decade career. Notably, the auctions will feature two of Hackman’s Golden Globe trophies—one for his Oscar-winning role in Unforgiven (1993) and another for his performance in The Royal Tenenbaums (2002). His Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award from 2003 will also be available for bidding.

Additional items include a still-life painting by Hackman himself, with an estimated value of $1,000 (£790) to $1,500 (£1,185), alongside books from his personal library. These annotated volumes reflect Hackman’s enduring interest in history and storytelling, influences that shaped his work as a novelist.

Anna Hicks, Bonhams’ Head of Private and Iconic Collections, described the auction as an opportunity to gain insights into 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 noted. “What emerges is more than a collection; it is a life lived with purpose, curiosity, and uncompromising vision.”

Hackman’s artistic journey began long before he stepped away from acting. He served on the board of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, narrated a documentary about the painter, and became a proponent of contemporary art in the American Southwest. After his retirement from film in 2004 following Welcome to Mooseport, Hackman dedicated more time to painting and writing. Bonhams noted that his passion for art intensified during his later years, as he filled his home with works reflecting a taste for subtle emotion and modernist themes.

Gene Hackman and his wife, classical musician Betsy Arakawa, both passed away in February 2025 at their Santa Fe home. The couple, married since 1991, enjoyed a quiet life away from Hollywood, surrounded by shared creative pursuits. Bonhams described the upcoming auctions as a rare window into the artistic mind of a profoundly disciplined and instinctive artist.

As fans and collectors prepare for these auctions, they will not only celebrate Hackman’s cinematic legacy but also his lasting connection to the world of art, creating a fitting tribute to a man dedicated to creating, collecting, and inspiring throughout his life.