Christie’s is auctioning four paintings by former US President Jimmy Carter this month, with estimates under $15,000. Three works—Mountain Waterfall (2003), Steeple (2010), and A Still Life (An Angry Pomegranate)—are part of the online sale “The American Collector,” closing January 27, while The Hornet’s Nest (2003) will be offered in a live day sale titled “We the People: America at 250” on January 23. Bidding has already exceeded estimates, with Steeple reaching $24,000. The paintings come from a larger trove of Carter family personal items, with proceeds benefiting the Carter Family Foundation.
The sale matters because it establishes a market baseline for Carter’s artwork, which he took up after leaving the White House. Unlike paintings by other political figures such as Winston Churchill, Carter’s works are intentionally priced low to attract collectors. The auction also highlights the growing interest in art by non-traditional artists, including former heads of state, and underscores the philanthropic use of such sales to support community causes.