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Art and Design from the London Home of Collector Extraordinaire Pauline Karpidas Headed to Auction

Ahead of the sale, Sotheby's will stage an immersive exhibition of stunning works including pieces by Les Lalannes, Picasso, Andy Warhol, and more

By Gay Gassmann
Colorful living room with rainbow sofas, eclectic decor, large windows, and views of green trees outside.
A view of Pauline Karpidas's Salon in London. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's

From September 8 to 16, discover the wonderful and whimsical world of art collector Pauline Karpidas at Sotheby’s London. Her collection, spanning 348 lots, is estimated to fetch a record-breaking $81 million—the highest figure for a single owner sale ever staged at Sotheby’s in the U.K.

Karpidas is considered one of the greatest art collectors of her generation, often mentioned in the same sentence as Peggy Guggenheim and Dominique de Menil. As Oliver Barker, Sotheby’s Chairman, Europe, says, “A collection of this caliber is a landmark moment for the art market—not just because of its value, but because of its extraordinary provenance and the story behind it.”

Woman sipping wine in an elegant outfit with earrings at a formal gathering.
Pauline Karpidas. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Eclectic room with wooden cabinets, sculptures, and bookshelves beside a large window with an orange blind.
A detail of Pauline Karpidas’s drawing room bookcase, a unique creation by Mattia Bonetti. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Golden abstract sculpture with eye shape on bookshelf surrounded by various books and decorative items.
A further detail of the bookcase, with René Magritte’s La Race Blanche bronze sculpture from 1967. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s

The young Karpidas’s collecting journey began when she met her future husband, Constantine Karpidas (d. 2005). He introduced her to the legendary Greek-American art dealer Alexander Iolas, who would become her trusted advisor. Iolas specialized in Surrealist art, a movement Karpidas quickly fell in love with. She amassed one of the most comprehensive and layered collections of surrealism ever to appear on the market, including works by Max Ernst in every possible medium.

The gallerist Jean-Gabriel Mitterand, a friend since he first opened his Parisian gallery in 1988, speaks of Karpidas with respect and humor. She was a ‘mystique’… collecting was practically a religion for her. It was also due to her loyalty to the Lalannes that permitted her to have so many unique pieces of theirs.” And he adds, when he saw her in New York for a Lalannes sale, “She was so charming and elegant and covered in jewelry by Claude!”  But he is quick to clarify, “She is not a groupie.”

Eclectic living room with colorful furniture, vibrant cushions, art-filled walls, and a patterned round coffee table.
A wide view of Pauline Karpidas’s salon in her London home, the walls hung with artworks by Pablo Picasso, Francis Picabia, Victor Brauner, Oscar Dominguez and Dorothea Tanning, among others. Furniture and design pieces by Claude Lalanne, Jacques Grange, and Mattia Bonetti. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Colorful room with a portrait, blue lamp, and patterned bedspread, featuring eclectic decor elements and a stack of books.
A detail of Francis Picabias, Untitled Espagnole in a bedroom at Pauline Karpidas’s London home. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s

The Pauline Karpidas sale at Sotheby’s London will span two days, with an online component on September 19. Before the auction, a unique, immersive exhibition will be staged at Sotheby’s starting September 8. It’s a true takeover of the space, presenting this stunning collection with additions like Pauline’s Café and a Lalannes garden.

Her two-story London apartment overlooking Hyde Park was packed with masterpieces by 20th-century greats but also Picasso, Andy Warhol, Niki de Saint Phalle and contemporary creators like Mattia Bonetti and André Dubreuil. The interiors, designed with the expert hand of the great Jacques Grange, were extravagant, vibrant, and fun. Karpidas lived her life out loud and in full color; her home was a reflection of her personality, with its animal prints, bold tones, and stacks of books.

Decorative metal table with leaf design on patterned carpet next to orange and red furniture in a living room setting
Table aux Serpents by Claude Lalanne, in Pauline Karpidas’ salon. The bronze and copper table, adorned with designs of leaves and snakes, was created in 2017. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Unique metal headboard with branch design and perched owl, behind a tiger-striped upholstered couch.
A detail of Structure Végétale, a bronze bed by Claude Lalanne, from Pauline Karpidas’s bedroom. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s

Designer Francis Sultana met her when he was just 21 and she put him to work in all of her homes, namely Hydra and London. He shares that “I worked closely with [Jacques Grange and gallerist David Gill] to create her world of surrealism and sophistication. It was always, darling, do you see?”  He adds, “Indeed, I do see more…Pauline Karpides is one of the grande dames.”

Karpidas, a collector and patron of the arts, has stated that this is the moment for the next generation of collectors to carry on her legacy. However, make no mistake, this is not the end of anything, as nothing will stop her from continuing on with her collecting, making discoveries and supporting the arts and artists. She is truly one of the greats.