Liz Taylor's three art pieces snag nearly $22 million

Topics: Celebrity

A gallery assistant at Christie's auction house adjusts a painting by Vincent Van Gogh. which was formerly owned by Elizabeth Taylor on Feb. 2, 2012, in London.

(Credit: Getty)

LONDON (CBS/AP) - Elizabeth Taylor's personal collection continues to bring in big bucks.

Three top works from the late Hollywood star's art collection sold at a London auction for nearly 14 million pounds ($22 million), the auctioneer Christie's said Tuesday.

Pictures: Elizabeth Taylor: 1932-2011
Pictures: Elizabeth Taylor collection sold

The lot's biggest-selling item was Van Gogh's "Vue de l'asile de la Chapelle de Remy," which used to hang in the living room of Taylor's Bel Air home. The tan-and-turquoise landscape was sold for more than 10 million pounds (nearly $16 million) to an anonymous telephone bidder. That was more than double the painting's estimate.

The two other pieces, a self-portrait by Edgar Degas and a landscape by Claude Pissarro, sold earlier in the evening.

Marc Porter, chairman of Christie's Americas, called the works the "crown jewel" of the showbiz legend's collection.

Taylor died last March at age 79, and Christie's has been selling off her possessions piecemeal. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation.

Last month, the auctioneer sold a 17th-century portrait that once hung over Taylor's fireplace for $2 million.

In December, Christie's sold her collection of jewelry, fashion and memorabilia for well over $100 million, including $8.8 million for a diamond ring given to her by Richard Burton, whom she married twice.

32 Photos

Elizabeth Taylor's glamorous style

View the Full Gallery »

3 Comments +

Add a Comment


by AnnieDanny February 9, 2012 4:37 PM EST: Van Gogh wasn't even that good, in my opinion. I've only seen a couple of his that I think are halfway interesting. So I don't get it,the huge price tags. He got the name recognition that's the only thing about it.; Reply to this comment


by Bojax39 February 8, 2012 5:05 PM EST: "The tan-and-turquoise landscape was sold for more than 10 million pounds (nearly $16 million) to an anonymous telephone bidder."

So, Bill Gates is buying art now?; Reply to this comment