Highlighted by David Park’s Three Figures and a Canoe from 1956 and Fairfield Porter’s Girl on a Swing from 1961, the Blinken Collection thoughtfully explores the nuances of representational and abstract art from the last sixty years. From the immediacy and freshness of the works on paper by Paul Wonner to the bold mixed media garden painting by Jennifer Bartlett, this intimate collection encapsulates the thoughtful and discerning eye of Ambassador Alan Blinken and his beloved wife of 51 years, Melinda Blinken.

Ambassador Blinken served as the United States Ambassador to Belgium from 1993-1998. Until his appointment as Ambassador, he was a Partner and Managing Director of Wertheim Schroder & Co., Inc. in New York City. He also served as a member of the New York State Economic Development Zone Commission and New York City Community Board 8. He and his wife were dedicated New Yorkers and devoted philanthropists. He was a board member of the Center for National Policy, the International Crisis Group, the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens, and the African Medical and Research Foundation. He was Chairman of the Washington Center for 17 years and a board member of the National Wildlife Federation and the New York Public Library.

As evinced by her splendid Van Cleef & Arpels (lots 67-69), Melinda Koch Blinken epitomized New York elegance. She was a trustee and founding docent at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and served in multiple capacities throughout her storied life with the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Meridian House International, Heinz Center for Biodiversity, and the Advisory Board of the Evelyn Lauder Breast Cancer Foundation, among others.

Sotheby’s is honored to present works of art and jewelry from the Blinken Collection across a series of auctions this fall and spring.