By Dean Murray via SWNS
An extraordinary auction of Michael Jackson’s artwork shows off an artistic flair – and a fascination with Britain.
The collection is part of a court-ordered sale of the late singer’s hand-drawn pieces.
It includes 78 signed drawings made by Jackson as an adult – with subjects including Queen Elizabeth, titled “Her Majesty,” and the Buckingham Palace gates.
Other works include a series of portraits of U.S. presidents, a sketch of Andy Warhol and a drawing of Michelangelo’s David statue.
A piece entitled “My Friend’, bearing a likeness to Elizabeth Taylor, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
Also under the hammer is a throne designed for the late singer’s holographic “appearance” at the 2014 Billboard Awards.
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Buyers will get the chance to acquire the entire collection of art, with opening bids of $1 million, but if that reserve is not met, the auction will automatically revert to a standard auction protocol in which each artwork is offered individually.
Each drawing will have a starting bid of $9,999, while the throne will open at $7,487.
King’s Auctions of Las Vegas say they have been appointed by the Superior Court of California to sell the collection.
They say: “It may come as quite a surprise to Michael Jackson’s fans that he had artistic talent beyond his prodigious gifts as a singer, dancer and composer. He was interested in art from the time he was a young boy, and in later years – including when was on tour – he pursued drawing as a hobby.
“He was influenced by many art genres, from classical and architectural to pop art and even portraiture. On several occasions, he discussed his love of drawing during TV interviews.”
King’s Auctions adds: “The auction is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Estate of Michael Jackson; it is a court-mandated sale by order of the Superior Court of California.”
The auction is scheduled for Aug. 3, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.
