Gene Hackman’s Collection Earns $3 Million at Bonhams Auction
A remarkable series of auctions at Bonhams in New York showcased over 400 items from the late Gene Hackman’s personal collection, generating a total of $3 million. The auctions, held from November 19 to December 4, featured an array of items ranging from unique artworks to film memorabilia, each finding new owners.
When Hackman passed away in February at the age of 95, he left behind a celebrated career in film and theater spanning over six decades. His impressive filmography includes memorable roles in classics such as “The Conversation” (1974) and “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001), and he earned two Academy Awards for “The French Connection” (1971) and “Unforgiven” (1992). Apart from acting, Hackman nurtured a passion for visual arts, resulting in a significant collection.
Hackman, who studied at the Art Students League of New York, found solace in painting and drawing, often sketching his co-stars on set. After retiring from acting around 2008, he dedicated himself to writing and painting at his Santa Fe home, expressing a preference for the autonomy it offered. His artistic journey is evidenced by his five published novels and artworks, including a Gauguin-inspired piece displayed at a local eatery, Jinja Bar & Bistro. His studio, filled with paints, sketches, and sculpted busts, reflected his creative endeavors.
This artistic sensibility influenced his collection, which included Postwar and Contemporary art, as well as Western and Native American works. The initial auction featured 13 paintings, headlined by Milton Avery’s “Figure on the Jetty” (circa 1950s), which fetched $508,500. This Modernist piece, portraying a solitary figure gazing at a calm sea, became part of Hackman’s collection in 1997 after being exhibited at the Miami University Museum of Art and the Chrysler Museum of Art.
Another highlight was Richard Diebenkorn’s “Green” (1986), an abstract landscape from his “Ocean Park” series, which sold for $419,600. The auction also included a Fritz Scholder work on paper, which sold for $152,900, and an Auguste Rodin bronze, which realized $108,450.
The auctions were a testament to Hackman’s dual legacy as both an art collector and an artist, with Andrew Huber of Bonhams praising the works for their prestigious provenance and artistic significance linked to Hackman himself.
Subsequent auctions presented artifacts from Hackman’s film career, including his Golden Globe for “The Royal Tenenbaums” ($51,200) and another for “Unforgiven” ($43,520). Other memorabilia, such as materials from “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “French Connection,” exceeded expectations, as did his early script treatment for “Silence of the Lambs.”
Hackman’s own artworks also attracted significant interest. His painting of poppies sold for $14,080, a New Mexico landscape for $10,240, and even his personal easel for $10,880. A standout piece, his rendition of Philipp Malyavin’s “Peasant Women” (1905), achieved $28,160.
Anna Hicks of Bonhams expressed delight at the auctions’ success, emphasizing how Hackman’s collection offered a rare insight into his artistic pursuits, resonating deeply with collectors and enthusiasts.
This story, first published on October 16, 2025, was updated on December 5, 2025, to include the auction outcomes.
