Michelle Smith was a trailblazing businesswoman, arts patron and philanthropist. “She was an exceptionally kind and generous person, whose reputation in Washington D.C. and beyond preceded her,” says Sotheby’s Lisa Dennison. “She defined what it means to be a collector.”
Spanning 20th and 21st century design, fine art, jewelry and handbags, Smith's collection is a testament to a passionate collector whose commitment to excellence resounded through every area of her life, and whose utmost standards and impeccable taste is reflected in the superior quality across categories in the collection. An outstanding selection of works from the collection will be presented in a live auction on 22 April at Sotheby’s in New York, with quintessential works by François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne, Alberto and Diego Giacometti, Jean-Michel Frank, Tiffany Studios and others. Alongside the live auction, an online sale of jewelry, design and an impressive ensemble of Hermès handbags will be open for bidding from 16–27 April.
