
S otheby’s is thrilled to bring masterpieces from the Collection of Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III to auction this May. Comprising fifty-six works, many of which have been exhibited at leading institutions around the world, the collection is remarkable both in its geographical scope and in its chronological sweep, ranging from 1520s Germany, by way of Dutch and Flemish, Italian, Spanish and French art of the 16th-19th centuries, and ending with an exceptional 1820s portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Born in Ivor, Virginia, Thomas A. Saunders III developed a sharp business instinct from a young age; by the time he was 12 years old, he had grown his newspaper delivery route to be the largest in the city of Norfolk. A pioneering figure on Wall Street, Saunders spent 20 years at Morgan Stanley as a partner and managing director. Though initially collectors in other fields, notably Classic English and European Furniture, silver and ceramics, and Chinese Export porcelain, Tom Saunders and his wife Jordan spent years in dedicated pursuit of exceptional Old Master Paintings, seeking out works of the very best quality and provenance, and meeting a community of collectors and dealers along the way who shared their same passion.
“I can’t explain why I’m so drawn to this period. I do know that I am in awe of the artists’ techniques, the stories the pictures tell, all the tiny details and, in some, the hidden symbolism. Is it not remarkable the sheer beauty and freshness they all have, even after being on a canvas for hundreds of years?”
The story of one of the greatest collections of Old Masters to come to auction in recent memory begins in earnest with a tiny jewel. During a visit to a Sotheby’s exhibition in January 1998, Mrs. Jordan Saunders encountered Francesco Guardi’s intimate painting of the Venice, A View of the Church of the Redentore. So struck by its beauty, she described the work as “a little jewel”, and swore “I heard that little picture speak to me.” A subsequent conversation with George Wachter, and the purchase that followed, was to mark the beginning of a collecting adventure that resulted in one of the greatest Old Master collections assembled in our times.

Over 25 years, the collection grew to include masterpieces by Francesco Guardi, Jan Davidsz. De Heem, Frans Hals, Luis Meléndez, Gerrit Dou, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Jan van Kessel, and Sir Peter Paul Rubens – many of them among the best works by the artists to ever appear at auction.
"This collection could never have been assembled without the Saunders' steadfast determination, decisiveness, impeccable eye, and unwavering trust in me, for which I am deeply grateful. From exceptional Dutch pictures to the marvelous Venetian Views by Guardi, from Lawrence’s unbelievably beautiful portrait to one of the most exquisite Meléndez still lifes, the collection is truly one of a kind. This auction is a profound full circle moment for me, and it is an honor to once again play a part in shepherding these works into the next great collections.”
We invite clients to explore the excitement of the collection as it travels across the globe, beginning in London, February 28, with additional stops in Amsterdam (March 10-14), Brussels (March 18-20), Los Angeles (April 10-11) and Hong Kong (April 18-23).
Then, join us this May in our New York galleries for the grand culmination of this journey, where you’ll have the opportunity to view these exceptional works in their entirety and immerse yourself in the artistry and historical significance of each piece.
Upcoming Auctions
Highlights









Exhibition Information
Exhibition Information
New York | 2–15 May
Monday–Saturday | 10:00AM–5:00PM
Sunday | 1:00Pm–5:00PM
1334 York Ave New York, NY 10021
