Several months after her passing last October at age 79, a curated selection of items belonging to the legendary Diane Keaton will be offered at auction. Her collection of clothing, books, home furnishings, and film memorabilia will be featured across four major sales at Bonhams this May and June.
“Diane Keaton was not simply a collector, but a consummate editor,” said Anna Hicks, Bonhams’s US head of private and iconic collections, in a statement. “Each piece—whether art, fashion, decor, or a personal object—was chosen with remarkable precision and clarity, reflecting an innate instinct for composition, restraint, and meaning.”
The collection showcases its remarkable range, including scripts and production materials from films like Baby Boom, Father of the Bride, and The Godfather trilogy; clothing from designers such as Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, Comme des Garçons, and Gucci, along with some of Keaton’s iconic hats; and artworks by Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, and her co-star Jack Nicholson. Exhibitions in New York and Los Angeles will precede the auctions.
In a foreword to the auction catalogue, Keaton’s sister Dorrie Hall writes, “Few individuals possess the rare ability to move between disciplines while maintaining a singular and unmistakable point of view. My sister, Diane, was one such person. She was always drawn to design and to fashion, but only through the lens of her unique perspective and innate sense of taste.”
That distinctive taste is evident throughout her Sullivan Canyon home, from the Monterey-style settees and silk Ralph Lauren ties to vintage cameos and costume jewelry, as well as in photographs and mixed-media collages she created herself.
Hall recalls Keaton’s thoughtful eye during visits: “She might gently suggest a shift—a chair repositioned or a painting rehung. These gestures were never impositions, but thoughtful offerings, grounded in a refined understanding of space and style. Inevitably, the result was transformative.”
For details on the exhibitions and auctions, visit Bonhams’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Diane Keatons personal items being auctioned at Bonhams written in a natural conversational tone
General Information
Q Wait Diane Keaton is selling her stuff Why
A Yes Shes auctioning a curated selection of her personal collection Shes stated its a way to edit her life share pieces she loves with fans and collectors and support her philanthropic interests
Q What kind of things is she selling
A A really eclectic mix It includes her iconic personal fashion fine art and photography vintage furniture unique decorative objects and even some film memorabilia
Q When and where is the auction
A The live auction is scheduled for June 18 2024 at Bonhams in Los Angeles There will also be online bidding available
Q Can I just go and see the items in person
A Yes Bonhams will hold public preview exhibitions before the auction You can check their website for exact dates and times to view the collection in Los Angeles
For Potential Bidders Collectors
Q Ive never bid at an auction before How do I even do this
A You can register to bid on the Bonhams website You have three main options bid live in the room bid live online during the auction or leave an absentee bid
Q How much is this stuff going to cost Are we talking thousands or millions
A Estimates range widely Some decorative items start in the hundreds of dollars while significant artworks and her most iconic clothing pieces are estimated in the tens of thousands The auction catalog will list an estimate for each item
Q Whats the most famous or valuable item in the sale
A Highlights include a monumental painting by artist Ed Ruscha a rare Mae West lips sofa by Salvador Dalí and several of her signature tailored suits and widebrimmed hats that define her personal style
Q Will there be anything related to her movies like from Annie Hall
A While the focus is on her personal art and design collection there are items like a vintage poster for