Buyers and sellers of Elizabeth Taylor's collectibles, especially her jewellery and dresses, had a great year in 2011. In December, the Hollywood legend's jewellery collection became the 'most expensive' ever auctioned when it sold for $115.9m.
The late star is a regular at the world's top auction houses. Art portraits of Taylor by the Pop Artist Andy Warhol have also emerged among the markets' most coveted collectibles. Even Taylor's hair has proven popular among collectors, with pieces for sale for as little as £49.95.
From Warhol art subject to art collector, Elizabeth Taylor's own love of art is now set to be showcased in a London auction on February 7-8. A Vincent van Gogh landscape and other paintings from Taylor's personal art collection will be up for sale.
Among the auction's highlights is Van Gogh's autumn landscape "Vue de l'Asile et de la Chapelle de Saint-Remy". The piece is estimated at £5m to £7m ($7.6m to $11m). Also for sale is an Edgar Degas self-portrait and works by Camille Pissarro and Auguste Renoir.
 Van Gogh's art landscape "Vue de l'Asile et de la Chapelle de Saint-Remy" |
Taylor amassed a significant collection of 19th and 20th century works. Like all the best collectors, Taylor was born into collecting. Her father was a London art dealer.
It was actually Liz's father, Francis Taylor, who first bought the Van Gogh painting in 1963 on his daughter's behalf. Francis paid $257,600 for the rare artwork at a Sotheby's auction in London.
"Vue de l'Asile et de la Chapelle de Saint-Remy" was later the subject of an ownership battle which ended in 2007. The case was brought by the descendants of the painting's former owner, a Jewish woman who fled Germany in 1939, and was later dismissed by the US Supreme Court.
"Having grown up surrounded by fine art and surrounded by her own canvasses until the end of her life, this collection of paintings was very important to Miss Taylor," said art specialist Giovanna Bertazzoni.
"[The auction] provides collectors with not only a very interesting insight into the icon herself, but also an exciting opportunity to acquire important works by leading Impressionist and modern artists."
