A Colin McCahon painting could fetch a record price as a collection of more than 200 paintings goes under the auctioneer's hammer this week in Auckland.
The Canoe Tainui by Colin McCahon Photo: Art and Object
The collection, together with more than 200 ceramic pieces, was amassed by Tim and Sherrah Francis over more than 60 years before their deaths this year.
The auctioneers say The Canoe Tainui by Colin McCahon could fetch a record New Zealand price.
Art and Object director Ben Plumbly said the McCahon painting - which the couple took with them on overseas diplomatic postings - may fetch $1.2 million to $2 million.
He told Morning Report the artworks could be the last private collection of its size left in New Zealand.
"At every point in time, I think, when you look back through New zealand art history, it seems that they were there in the key shows, in the key moments, and buying the key works. The Canoe Tainui is probably in the last two or three great McCahons left in private hands."