William Randolph Hearst Renaissance-Style Sideboard to be Sold

Forbes is reporting that Bonhams & Butterfields will be offering a large Renaissance style sideboard, once owned by media magnate William Randolph Hearst at its June 15th sale (see image). The estimate is $8,000.00 - $12,000.00.

That in itself is not so that interesting, but the article states from an upcoming book and exhibit at the LA Museum of Art that Hearst was a known collector. Many believe that he selected quantity over quality in decorating him numerous homes (and castles). According to the exhibition he was also looked down upon by many in the art world because his tastes leaned more toward furniture and the decorative art than fine art. Imagine that, art snobs.

The Forbes article states Hearst, dramatized in the movie Citizen Kane, has been a controversial figure in collecting circles. Some believe that he chose quantity over quality. One obituary speculated that the multimillionaire publishing titan and movie producer accounted for 25% of the art market in the 1920s and '30s.

But a recent show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and accompanying book make the argument that Hearst was a connoisseur of fine objects, if a voracious one. The book's author and curator of the LACMA exhibit, Mary Levkoff, argues that Hearst was dismissed by the art world because he liked antique furniture, armor and tapestries better than paintings.

The piece of furniture on auction may not be an example of Hearst's connoisseurship, but it typifies his taste for bold, heavy pieces. Weighing in at around 200 pounds, the chest was made in Italy in the 19th century in a Renaissance style in vogue at the time.

To read the Forbes article, click HERE.