Elaine Wynn’s $142M Francis Bacon Heads to LACMA as Christie’s Secures Collection

A Collector’s Legacy

The estate of art collector and casino magnate Elaine Wynn, who passed away in April, has announced the future of her world-renowned art holdings.

Her most famous acquisition, Francis Bacon’s Three Studies of Lucian Freud (1969)—which she bought at Christie’s in 2013 for $142.2 million—will go to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), where Wynn served as board cochair. Meanwhile, 20 works from her collection will head to Christie’s auctions this November, expected to fetch at least $75 million.

Bacon’s Masterpiece to LACMA

The Bacon triptych will be the first of his works to enter LACMA’s collection. It will go on view in the David Geffen Galleries, part of the museum’s new Peter Zumthor–designed building set to open next year.

Wynn had previously donated $50 million to the campaign for the new building.

“Thanks to Elaine’s incredible generosity, Bacon’s masterpiece will belong to LACMA and the public,” said museum director Michael Govan.

Francis Bacon, *Three Studies of Lucian Freud*, 1969.
©The Estate of Francis Bacon/Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Elaine P. Wynn

Christie’s Auction Highlights

Christie’s will present “Elaine: The Collection of Elaine Wynn” across three major New York sales this fall:

Nine works in the 20th Century Evening Sale
Two works in the 21st Century Evening Sale
Nine works in the Postwar and Contemporary Day Sale

Key Lots Include:

Richard Diebenkorn, Ocean Park #40 (1971) – est. $15–25M

Richard Diebenkorn’s *Ocean Park #40* (1971) is expected to sell for between $15 million and $25 million.Courtesy Christie’s

Lucian Freud, The Painter Surprised by a Naked Admirer (2004–05) – est. $15–25M
Joan Mitchell, Sunflower V (1969) – est. $12–18M
J.M.W. Turner, Ehrenbreitstein (1835) – est. $12–18M

J.M.W. Turner’s *Ehrenbreitstein, or The Bright Stone of Honour and the Tomb of Marceau, from Byron’s Childe Harold*, which was first exhibited in 1835, is expected to sell for between $12 million and $18 million.Courtesy Christie’s

Fernand Léger, Les Confidences (Les deux femmes au bouquet) (1921) – est. $6–8M
Wayne Thiebaud, River Stretch (2000) – est. $3–5M

Price Shifts

Some works are being offered below Wynn’s original purchase prices. For example:

She paid $23.9M for Turner’s Ehrenbreitstein in 2017 (now est. $12–18M).
She acquired Diebenkorn’s Ocean Park #40 for $27.3M in 2021 (now est. $15–25M).
A 2010 Adrian Ghenie painting, purchased for $6.3M in 2018, now carries a low estimate of $2.5M.

Conversely, Wynn’s early acquisitions may see dramatic gains. She bought Mitchell’s Sunflower V for $1.5M in 2005, and it now carries an estimate of $12–18M.

A Visionary Collector

Elaine Wynn appeared multiple times on ARTnews’s Top 200 Collectors list. Known for her discerning taste, she acquired blue-chip works spanning Picasso, Manet, Mitchell, Freud, and Bacon.

Her daughters, Gillian Wynn and Kevyn Wynn, praised her legacy:

“She celebrated every piece she collected,” said Gillian.
“Our mother lived a life filled with passion, conviction and grace,” added Kevyn.

FAQs

1. What will happen to Francis Bacon’s triptych?
It will be donated to LACMA, the first Bacon to enter the museum’s collection.

2. How much did Elaine Wynn pay for it?
She purchased it in 2013 for $142.2 million, a then-record auction price.

3. What is Christie’s offering from her collection?
20 works, expected to bring in at least $75 million across three sales.

4. Which artists are featured in the auction?
Richard Diebenkorn, Lucian Freud, Joan Mitchell, J.M.W. Turner, Fernand Léger, Wayne Thiebaud, and others.

5. When will the Christie’s sales take place?
During Christie’s fall marquee auctions in November 2025 in New York.

6. Did Elaine Wynn contribute to LACMA before?
Yes, she donated $50 million toward its new David Geffen Galleries.

Conclusion

Elaine Wynn’s estate cements her dual legacy as both a philanthropic museum leader and a top-tier private collector. Her $142M Bacon triptych will enrich LACMA’s collection, while her Christie’s sales will circulate works by Diebenkorn, Freud, Mitchell, and Turner to new custodians.

Even amid market shifts, Wynn’s collection reflects a bold, passionate vision that will continue shaping institutions and private holdings for years to come.