Christie's will auction seven paintings by Gerhard Richter from the personal collection of legendary gallerist Marian Goodman in May 2026, headlining a series of sales titled "Breaking Ground: The Private Collection of Marian Goodman." The group includes the iconic 1982 work *Kerze (Candle)*, estimated at $35–50 million, and spans Richter's career from 1982 to 2009. Goodman, who died in 2024, began representing Richter in 1985 after writing him a letter, and her collection reflects their decades-long professional and personal relationship.
The sale matters because it offers a rare glimpse into the private holdings of one of contemporary art's most influential dealers, whose eye and conviction helped establish Richter's reputation in the United States. The auction also underscores the enduring strength of the high-end art market, with a single-owner collection of museum-quality works expected to draw significant global attention. Additionally, it highlights the deep bond between gallerist and artist, a relationship that shaped the trajectory of postwar and contemporary art.