Ted Turner’s personal art collection heading to auction, proceeds benefiting conservation efforts

A piece of Ted Turner’s personal collection is going up for auction, bringing a piece of the media mogul’s legacy to the art world while supporting a cause he spent decades championing.

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Christie’s announced it will auction approximately 20 landscape paintings from Turner’s personal collection on Jan. 20, 2027.

Turner, the Atlanta-based media mogul who founded CNN, was also known for his commitment to wildlife conservation and protecting natural lands.

The auction, titled Trailblazer: Ted Turner’s America, is expected to bring in approximately $20 million. Proceeds will benefit the Turner Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Earth’s natural systems.

The collection features works by two 19th-century landscape artists, Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran. Their paintings capture iconic American landscapes, including the Yosemite Valley and the Grand Canyon.

Two of the featured works are expected to be among the biggest draws:

• Albert Bierstadt’s “Yosemite Valley” – estimated at $4 million to $6 million.
• Thomas Moran’s “The Lower Gorge of the Grand Canyon, Arizona” – estimated at $4 million to $6 million.

Turner was once the largest landowner in the United States and dedicated millions of acres to ecological restoration and conservation.

One of his most significant conservation efforts involved helping restore the American bison population, protecting the animals’ genetic integrity and role in the ecosystem.

Christie’s said the paintings reflect Turner’s passion for preserving America’s natural landscapes.

Highlights from the collection will be on display at Rockefeller Plaza in New York from Nov. 7-20. An in-person preview of the auction will take place Jan. 15-19, with the evening sale scheduled for Jan. 20, 2027.

The auction also will feature a selection of Turner’s personal effects during the January preview.

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