Sotheby’s to auction Sydell Miller’s $200M art collection, featuring Monet, Picasso, and Kandinsky. A beauty mogul’s legacy of exquisite taste.
This November, the art world’s attention will be firmly fixed on Sotheby’s New York as it unveils one of the most anticipated auctions of recent years. The collection of Sydell Miller, a visionary beauty entrepreneur and philanthropist, is set to take centre stage, offering a rare glimpse into the private sanctuary of a woman whose influence extended far beyond the realms of business and into the rarefied world of fine art and design.
Estimated to achieve in the region of $200 million, the collection encompasses approximately 90 works of Modern and Contemporary art, sculpture, and iconic design pieces. These treasures will be presented in landmark Evening and Day sales, with additional works offered throughout the autumn season.
Sydell Miller – The Queen of Beauty’s Artistic Vision
Sydell Miller, often referred to as the “queen of the beauty industry”, lived her life guided by a powerful family mantra: “Think, Believe, Dream, Dare.” This philosophy not only shaped her groundbreaking career but also informed her approach to collecting art and design.
Miller’s transformation from beauty entrepreneur to esteemed art collector is a testament to her unwavering commitment to beauty and excellence in all its manifestations.
Charles F. Stewart, Sotheby’s Chief Executive Officer, remarked on the significance of the collection: “Sydell Miller was a great 20th-century collector, and the roll call of great artists and designers in her collection speaks to both the breadth of her vision and the depth of her connoisseurship. What stands out is the thread that runs through every painting, sculpture and object – that of Miller’s eye for beauty as she innately understood it.”
Miller’s distinctive talent for creating environments that harmoniously integrate design and fine art is evident in the collection. This method of accumulating was not solely focused on acquisition; rather, it was designed to cultivate environments that were both inspiring and enjoyable.
As Miller herself stated, “I collect pieces I love. Each piece I collect speaks to me in a language of art and design, and I am always excited when I see them for the first time. Even today, these pieces still make my heart flutter with joy.”
A Journey Through Art History
The Sydell Miller collection is a veritable who’s who of 20th-century art luminaries. At its core, the piece is a captivating illustration of Claude Monet’s renowned Nymphéas series. This particular work, which was executed between 1914 and 1917, represents a significant departure from Monet’s previous approach to his most renowned subject.
The painting predates the Abstract Expressionists’ large-scale gestural canvases by approximately thirty years, as evidenced by its close-cropped composition and kaleidoscopic palette.
Pablo Picasso’s “La Statuaire” (1925) is another highlight of the collection. This complex work brings together elements of Surrealism, Neo-Classicism, and Cubism, depicting a seated female figure opposite a portrait bust. Notably, it is the first painting in Picasso’s oeuvre to depict a female artist, a fact that adds to its historical significance.
Wassily Kandinsky’s “Weisses Oval” (White Oval) from 1921 represents a pivotal moment in the artist’s career. Last seen at auction more than fifty years ago, this work celebrates Kandinsky’s fascination with the relationship between colour and form. It marks an important transition in his style as he prepared to take up his teaching post at the Bauhaus in Berlin.
The collection also includes works by Henri Matisse, Yves Klein, and Henry Moore, each piece of which was meticulously selected to reflect Miller’s discerning eye and her appreciation for a wide range of artistic manifestations.
Design as Art: The Lalanne Connection
Miller’s collection extends beyond traditional fine art to include exceptional pieces of design. A standout example is François-Xavier Lalanne’s ‘Troupeau d’Eléphants dans les Arbres’ Table, a whimsical creation commissioned directly from the artist through celebrated architect Peter Marino.
This piece, which depicts seven gilded elephants advancing under Acacia trees, encapsulates the sophisticated yet whimsical aesthetic that is prevalent throughout Miller’s collection.
The interplay between art and design in Miller’s collection is perhaps best exemplified by the juxtaposition of Claude Lalanne’s unique Nenuphars consoles with Monet’s Nymphéas.
This inspired pairing creates a dialogue between the two-dimensional and three-dimensional, the painted and the sculpted, highlighting Miller’s innovative approach to collecting and displaying art.
A Life Shaped by Beauty and Philanthropy
Sydell Miller’s journey to becoming a major art collector began in the late 1950s when she met her future husband, Arnold Miller, during a hair appointment.
Together, they founded Ardell, introducing eyelashes as a professional salon service, and later co-founded Matrix Essentials, which became the largest manufacturer of professional hair and beauty products.
After her husband’s passing in the 1990s, Miller took the helm of Matrix as CEO and President, leading the company to unprecedented success. Her vision extended beyond hair care to encompass a holistic approach to beauty, leading her to create the day spa experience accessible to all women.
Following the sale of her company, Miller turned her focus to family, philanthropy, and collecting. Her philanthropic efforts were as impressive as her business acumen, serving on the boards of numerous organisations including the American Cancer Society of Palm Beach, Cleveland Clinic, and the Norton Museum of Art.
The Legacy Continues
As the art world eagerly anticipates the Sotheby’s auctions this November, it’s clear that Sydell Miller’s legacy extends far beyond the beauty industry. Her collection, curated over decades with an unerring eye for quality and an innate understanding of aesthetics, stands as a testament to her lifelong pursuit of beauty in all its forms.
Prior to the sales, a series of curated exhibitions will be held in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Los Angeles. This will provide art enthusiasts worldwide with the chance to personally experience this extraordinary collection.
In a fitting tribute to Miller’s commitment to philanthropy, a portion of the auction proceeds will benefit the Cleveland Clinic Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Sydell L. Miller Elephant Care & Visitor Center at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
As the art world counts down to this landmark event, it’s clear that the Sydell Miller collection represents more than just a group of exceptional artworks. It is the culmination of a life lived in pursuit of beauty, a testament to the power of vision and determination, and a legacy that will continue to inspire and delight for generations to come.
In the words of David Norman, Miller’s long-time advisor: “Sydell Miller was an impassioned collector, with a great eye for the exceptional and beautiful in all fields. She had an intrinsic love of art and the idea of buying works as a matter of investment or speculation seemed anathema to her. It was rather a natural extension of an aesthetic that permeated her every activity and pursuit.”
As the hammer falls on each lot this November, it will not just be marking the sale of extraordinary artworks, but also celebrating the extraordinary life and vision of Sydell Miller – a woman who truly understood the transformative power of beauty.
Images: Sotheby’s
