Microsoft founder's masterpieces on display ahead of blockbuster $1 billion auction

By Steven McIntoshArts reporter

Masterpieces from some of the pai Well-known artists of nters art have been on display ahead of what is expected to be the biggest auction in history.

They are collectively expected to fetch a record $1bn (£900m) on sale in New York next month.

The works belonged to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen , who died in 2018.

But while Allen often lent his treasures, some art critics fear the auction could lead to the works being hidden on public view for decades.

Paintings by Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Paul Cezanne and David Hockney are in the collection, which is up for auction by Christie's.