Exhibition of Peggy and David Rockefeller's collection

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‍A global tour featuring Peggy and David Rockefeller's art collection has landed in Beijing. The collection will be up for auction at Christie's New York in May. With an estimated 500 million US dollars of turnover in total, it aims to be the largest philanthropic auction ever.

One of the highlights is a painting by Henri Matisse. The "Odalisque couchée aux magnolias" is expected to reset the artist's record high price at auction with an estimate of 50 million dollars.

Peggy and David Rockefeller /courtesy of Christie's

"It's 1923, which is a great date for the artist. He is in his 50s, his full maturity, very confident. The subject, the color and the condition make this work the most important Matisse still in private hand," said Giovanna Vertazzoni, co-chairperson of Christie's impressionist and modern art department.

'La Seine à Lavacourt' by Claude Monet /courtesy of Christie's

Gathered over a lifetime and inherited from previous generations, the collection contains over 1,500 pieces, including paintings, furniture and other works of art. It reflects the Rockefeller family's deep, life-long passion for art.

Giovanna Bertazzoni takes CGTN interview. /courtesy of Christie's

"The collection is extraordinary. It's rigorously put together. There's a discipline in collection that is thread through out. Even Asian art is featured. There're manuscripts, Buddhas and porcelains, carefully chosen by David's mother. So it's a family tradition. There's always a passion for Asia and China from the very beginning of the generations," added Giovanna.

The Rockefeller family has been connected to China in their philanthropic efforts. A hundred years ago, the family funded the set-up of the Peking Union Medical College.

"We are very excited of bringing these artworks to China so they can be seen by collectors and people who love art in China," said Charlotte Liu, managing director of Christie's China.

Christie's /Handout Photo

The collection will go on sale in May at Christie's Rockefeller Center Galleries in New York. It will be the most significant philanthropic auction ever presented, with all Estate proceeds donated to designated charities.