Sotheby’s to Auction Peter Brant and Stephanie Seymour’s Extensive Art and Design Collection

The sale on December 8 features canvases by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Richard Prince, and Keith Haring as well as collectible pieces by Charlotte Perriand, Jean Royère, and Jean Prouvé

Black and white abstract mural with intricate patterns beside a bench with black spheres in a gallery setting.
Untitled (Acrobats) by Keith Haring and George Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa from Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvé x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's

The auction world has been buzzing with excitement following the recent blockbuster sales of several major collections as well as the staggering sums being achieved for works by design titans such as Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé, and Ettore Sottsass. Now, a new auction is taking place at Sotheby’s that will deliver the best of both worlds. On December 8, the house will host the live sale “Prouvé x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour.”

“I’ve never put together a sale of furniture or paintings before; I’ve sold individual works but not like this,” Brant says in the auction catalog. “This collection comes from a space that we own in SoHo. The space was so special and took many years to put together.”

Office with modern art of a cowboy on horseback, surrounded by bookshelves filled with colorful books.
Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvé x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction includes art by Richard Prince and furnishings, such as this Jean Prouvé Centrale (Trapèze) table. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's

Among the more than 70 lots are number of notable canvases, including major artworks by Keith Haring, Richard Prince, Tom Sachs, Glenn Ligon, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose work Brant and Seymour displayed to great acclaim at the opening of their downtown art foundation in 2019. “I generally like mid-career artists that I thought were great when they were younger and are still great today,” Brant states. “Ultimately what you try to do is find a period that transports you someplace that you really like, and then figure out what is the highest quality work of that period. You want to see the furniture maker, artist, or architect at his best, not at his worst. But also understand that sometimes what you perceive as being his worst now, might be considered his best in 25 years.”

Vintage table with unique design detail and wooden legs on a light wooden floor against a neutral wall background.
Jean Prouvé Refectory table from Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvé x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
A wooden table with angled legs in a room with large windows, curtains, and an orange wall art piece.
Jean Prouvé S.A.M. table from Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvé x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's

Just as the couple majestically melded their art collection into their living spaces, the sale, too, artfully incorporates pieces of collectible design. Included in the upcoming sale will be notable furniture items, such as a George Nelson Marshmallow sofa, a Pierre Paulin Tongue chair, a pair of Jean Royerè Ours Polaire chairs and matching sofa, and a Jean Prouvé Centrale (Trapèze) table. “Many of these pieces were being used in public institutions more so than for private use, and the designs were incredibly simple, wonderful and pure,” Brant says in the catalog.

Modern office with a sleek black table, potted plant, bookshelves, and abstract painting on the wall.
Jean Prouvé Centrale (Trapèze) desk from Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvé x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's

Additionally, the live auction on December 8 will include works by other highly sought after designers, such as Prototype desk by George Nakashima, lamps by Serge Mouille and Paavo Tynell, and a Prehistoric Sleigh II bed by Julian Schnabel, just one of two models made, cast from the artist’s 1986 sculpture Tomb for Joseph Beuys. “When the furniture and art are great, they tend to live with one another very nicely,” states Brant. “My wife and I have always enjoyed looking for furniture, visiting museums, and reading about the makers and the periods. As a collector, I commit my time and resources to research these objects. At the same time, I always say that collecting is like a disease that only poverty will cure. You are constantly wanting to go to the next level and purchase more.”

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Sotheby’s to Auction Works from Peter Brant and Stephanie Seymour’s Extensive Collection of Art and Design

Inside Peter Brant and Stephanie Seymouru2019s SoHo space with a Marc Newson Micarta desk, Jean Prouvu00e9 sideboard, and Serge Mouille Seven-Arm wall light, which are headed to auction at Sothebyu2019s.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Inside Peter Brant and Stephanie Seymouru2019s SoHo space with a pair of Jean Royu00e8re stools, Ours Polaire sofa, and chairs; Charlotte Perriand table; and Richard Princeu2019s Untitled (Girlfriend), which are headed to auction at Sothebyu2019s.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Inside Peter Brant and Stephanie Seymouru2019s SoHo space with Rob Pruitt’s Coffee Table/Coke Table (2014) and Cady Noland’s Beltway Terror (1993-94), which are headed to auction at Sothebyu2019s.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

George Nakashima, Long chair, 1962.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Joe Bradley’s Untitled screenprint, Jean Royu00e8re Ambassador sofa, Charlotte Perriand Tokyo bench, and Alexandre Noll tray, which will be included in Sotheby’s December 8 auction, u201cProuvu00e9 x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour.u201d

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Untitled, Jean Royu00e8re Chevron sideboard and chaise longue, Paavo Tynell table lamp, Paul Evans side table and occasional table, Frank Gehry Easy Edges lounge chair, and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec triple “Grande Liane” ceiling light which will be included in Sotheby’s December 8 auction, u201cProuvu00e9 x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour.u201d

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1983.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Jean Prouvu00e9 Cafeteria table and Marc Newson Komed chairs which will be included Sotheby’s December 8 auction, u201cProuvu00e9 x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour.u201d

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Untitled (Acrobats) by Keith Haring and George Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa from Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvu00e9 x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Jean Prouvu00e9 Centrale (Trapu00e8ze) desk from Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvu00e9 x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Richard Prince, Untitled (Cowboy), 2012.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvu00e9 x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction includes art by Richard Prince and furnishings, such as this Jean Prouvu00e9 Centrale (Trapu00e8ze) table.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Jean Prouvu00e9 S.A.M. table from Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvu00e9 x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Jean Prouvu00e9 Refectory table from Sotheby’s December 8 “Prouvu00e9 x Basquiat: Art and Design from the Collection of Peter M. Brant and Stephanie Seymour” auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's
Art gallery interior with modern abstract paintings on walls, contemporary chandelier, and minimalist wooden furniture.
Modern living room with yellow sofa and armchair, wooden tables, and large windows; art on walls and light filtering through curtains.
Modern living room with spiral staircase, contemporary furniture, and large windows letting in natural light.
Wooden lounge chair with white straps in a modern room with large windows and wooden flooring.
Gray sofa in modern living room with star-patterned wall art, wooden coffee table, and decorative vase on side table.
Modern living room with abstract art, unique furniture, and pendant lights, featuring a wooden chair and cozy seating area.
Abstract drawing of a face with red and black scribbles on a gray background.
Colorful retro kitchen with teal cabinets, orange chairs, red table, and stainless steel appliances on wooden floor.
Black and white abstract mural with intricate patterns on a gallery wall above a bench with spherical elements.
Modern office with a sleek black table, potted plant, bookshelves, and abstract painting on the wall.
Abstract painting of a cowboy on horseback holding a rifle against a green and blue swirling background.
Office with modern art of a cowboy on horseback, surrounded by bookshelves filled with colorful books.
A wooden table with angled legs in a room with large windows, curtains, and an orange wall art piece.
Vintage table with unique design detail and wooden legs on a light wooden floor against a neutral wall background.
Art gallery interior with modern abstract paintings on walls, contemporary chandelier, and minimalist wooden furniture.
Modern living room with yellow sofa and armchair, wooden tables, and large windows; art on walls and light filtering through curtains.
Modern living room with spiral staircase, contemporary furniture, and large windows letting in natural light.
Wooden lounge chair with white straps in a modern room with large windows and wooden flooring.
Gray sofa in modern living room with star-patterned wall art, wooden coffee table, and decorative vase on side table.
Modern living room with abstract art, unique furniture, and pendant lights, featuring a wooden chair and cozy seating area.
Abstract drawing of a face with red and black scribbles on a gray background.
Colorful retro kitchen with teal cabinets, orange chairs, red table, and stainless steel appliances on wooden floor.
Black and white abstract mural with intricate patterns on a gallery wall above a bench with spherical elements.
Modern office with a sleek black table, potted plant, bookshelves, and abstract painting on the wall.
Abstract painting of a cowboy on horseback holding a rifle against a green and blue swirling background.
Office with modern art of a cowboy on horseback, surrounded by bookshelves filled with colorful books.
A wooden table with angled legs in a room with large windows, curtains, and an orange wall art piece.
Vintage table with unique design detail and wooden legs on a light wooden floor against a neutral wall background.