16 November 2026 | New York | full auction details

The New York Sales Presenting Partner is CELINE.

United by a singular vision, collectors and philanthropists Theodore and Ruth Baum’s infectious passion for life, art, design and philanthropy led them on a deeply personal, decades-long pursuit of an extraordinary collection of their own — one that was not only one of the most distinguished private collections encapsulating the developments of 20th-century art history, but reflective of the forward-thinking vision, refined elegance and intellectual rigor that defined them as partners in life and collecting. The Collection is highlighted by a radiant red and orange 1967 painting by Mark Rothko, their first acquisition of contemporary art 43 years ago and the catalyst of their collecting journey; alongside an expansive canvas by Joan Mitchell, also held in the Baum’s collection for four decades; an early C-clamp text painting by Ed Ruscha; among post-war European masterworks and more.

Kicking off Sotheby’s New York sales week this November, these will be offered in a dedicated Evening Auction on 16 November, with a dedicated Day Auction following on 17 November, with additional works offered through 2027.