Michael Crichton’s art collection goes to auction in NYC; Jasper Johns could set artist record

Author Crichton’s art collection goes to auction

NEW YORK — A Jasper Johns painting of the American flag in the collection of the late best-selling writer Michael Crichton could set a new auction record for the artist.

Christie’s auction house is offering the work, called “Flag,” on Tuesday night.

Its pre-sale estimate is $10 million to $15 million. But Johns’ seminal work has never before been on the public market. New York and Chicago art dealer Richard Feigen (FYE’-ehn) guessed it could bring up to $30 million.

The previous auction record for Johns was $18 million for “Figure 4,” in 2007.

Christie’s calls “Flag” ”one of the greatest icons of modern art alongside Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ and Andy Warhol’s ‘Marilyn.’”

Crichton’s pop art collection also includes works by Roy Lichtenstein and Jeff Koons.