The Phillips Collection Plans to Deaccession Works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Arthur Dove, and Georges Seurat

"Director and CEO Jonathan Binstock, who joined the Phillips in March 2023, said proceeds will fund a permanently restricted endowment to commission new work by living artists. The strategy, he argued, aligns with Duncan Phillips's belief in supporting contemporary practitioners-including his decades-long financial support of Dove. But critics warn the sales will dismantle carefully built "units" of key artists assembled by Duncan and Marjorie Phillips."

""I'm deeply saddened and appalled," said Eliza Rathbone, the museum's chief curator emerita. Liza Phillips, the founders' granddaughter and chair of the members board, said the works "belong to the public" and will likely "go into private hands." The dispute, simmering for more than 18 months, culminated last week in an agreement between the trustees and members boards that allows next week's sales to move forward, but tightens future deaccessioning rules."

The Phillips Collection will sell major works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Arthur Dove, and Georges Seurat at Sotheby's. The lots include O'Keeffe's Large Dark Red Leaves on White (1925), estimated at $6–8 million; Seurat's conté crayon drawing, estimated at $3–5 million; and Dove's Rose and Locust Stump (1943), estimated at $1.2–1.8 million. Director and CEO Jonathan Binstock said proceeds will create a permanently restricted endowment to commission new work by living artists, aligning with Duncan Phillips's history of supporting contemporary practitioners. Former curators, Phillips family members, and some governing members oppose the sales for dismantling curated artist groupings. Trustees and members boards approved the sales and tightened future deaccessioning rules, defining the core collection by The Phillips Collection: A Summary Catalogue (1985).

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