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Barry Humphries’ Curated Legacy: A Collector’s Treasures to be Auctioned at Christie’s London

Barry Humphries’ Curated Legacy: A Collector’s Treasures to be Auctioned at Christie’s London February 4, 2025Art Auction, London0 Comments

Barry Humphries: The Private World of a Theatrical Genius Goes Under the Hammer at Christie’s

London, 13 February 2025

For decades, Barry Humphries entertained the world with his razor-sharp wit, larger-than-life characters, and unparalleled ability to transform into personas as outrageous as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. But behind the sequins, oversized glasses, and legendary punchlines was a man of exquisite taste, a devoted collector, and a connoisseur of art, literature, and design.

Now, for the first time, the private world of this public icon is coming to light. On February 13, 2025, Christie’s London will unveil Barry Humphries: The Personal Collection, an extraordinary sale of approximately 250 worksthat trace the passions, influences, and artistic sensibilities of one of Australia’s greatest exports.

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

Beyond the Spotlight: The Collector Behind the Characters

Humphries’ love affair with collecting began in his teenage years, evolving into a carefully curated, deeply personal assemblage of treasures spanning centuries and continents. More than just objects, these pieces reflect his intellectual curiosity, his love of beauty, and his endless pursuit of knowledge.

Benedict Winter, Associate Director of Private & Iconic Collections at Christie’s London, encapsulates the significance of this sale:

“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 collection is more than just an auction – it is a rare opportunity to step inside the mind of a performer who not only entertained the world but understood it deeply.

The Crown Jewels of the Collection

From masterpieces of Australian art to rare literary gems, the sale offers a stunning cross-section of Humphries’ artistic influences and aesthetic sensibilities.

A Masterpiece by Charles Conder
The highlight of the sale is Sand dunes, Ambleteuse by Charles Conder (estimate: £200,000-£300,000), a rare and luminous work by one of Australia’s most celebrated Impressionists. Conder’s poetic, atmospheric landscapes deeply resonated with Humphries, whose own artistic inclinations were shaped by the fin-de-siècle elegance of the late 19th century.

Oscar Wilde’s Legacy
Humphries was a devoted collector of decadent literature, and his astonishing collection of Oscar Wilde memorabiliais a testament to his deep admiration for the legendary playwright. The sale includes a presentation copy of Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest—a treasured piece of literary history that mirrors Humphries’ own love of theatrical wit and social satire.

Barry Humphries at home, 2021, detail of photograph ©Tereza Červeňova

️ Symbolist and European Art
The collection also features works by Fernand Khnopff, Jean Delville, and Franz von Stuck, artists known for their ethereal, dreamlike compositions, which capture the mystical, melancholic beauty of the era that fascinated Humphries most. Alongside them are Impressionist and Modern British works, including pieces by Jan Sluijters and Sir William Nicholson.

✨ Design and Theatrical Legacy
Beyond fine art, the sale includes masterpieces of modern design, such as an Edgar Brandt chandelier, as well as treasures from Humphries’ own theatrical world. Fans of Dame Edna will have the chance to acquire iconic pieces from her personal collection, including:

Extravagant costumes
Signature oversized glasses (“face furniture”)
Caricatures and memorabilia from a career that spanned over six decades

A Final Thought from Shari

Some collectors amass objects for prestige. Barry Humphries collected to understand the world – its art, its history, its humor, its contradictions. His collection is a reflection of a man who was both entertainer and intellectual, showman and scholar, provocateur and poet.

At Christie’s on February 13, the stage will be set for one last performance, not in the form of a show, but in a collection that tells the story of a man who saw the world through both a theatrical lens and an artist’s eye.

And for those lucky enough to take home a piece of his legacy? Well, darlings, as Dame Edna would say – consider it your moment of “gladioli”-ous fortune.

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