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Bronfman’s considerable collection of Canadian decorative and fine art will go on the block in a series of public sales, due to begin Tomorrow in Toronto, Canada.
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Photo source / Waddingtons
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Charles Bronfman has decided to part company with what became known as the family’s Claridge collection comprising two clearly defined collections, one of them purely decorative and the other fine art , assembled during the nineteen eighties and nineties.
Until recently, the Claridge Collection were on display in Bronfman’s offices in Montreal, although they have now been taken into storage and the family has decided to dispose of them.
The Claridge Collection is considerable, comprising close to one thousand contemporary works, created by a total of 372 artists, all of them Canadian.
Among the artists whose works will be auctioned off will be David Blackwood, David Bolduc, Edward Burtynsky, Alex Cameron, John Massey, Don Proch, Gordon Smith and Alex Wyse , while works from important decorative artists of the era such as Wayne Ngan, Walter Ostrom, Walter Dexter, and Kayo O’Young will also be up for sale.
The items on auction will include pieces created by recipients of the Saidye Bronfman Award. The Saidye Bronfman Award was initiated in 1977 by the Bronfman family in honor of their mother, and is regarded as being Canada’s foremost distinction for excellence in the fine crafts.
Proceeds from the auction will be donated to Historica Canada, an independent organization dedicated to preserving Canadian history, identity and citizenship
Commenting on his decision to auction the Claridge Collection, Charles Bronfman admitted that dismantling the collection is bittersweet. “ However the knowledge that the proceeds will go towards the benefit of ongoing programs at Historica Canada is really a gift that keeps on giving.” Mr. Bronfman summed up
Because of the size and depth of the Claridge Collection it will be sold off in as series of actions to be handled by Waddingtons, one of Canada’s largest auctioneers. The first auction is due to take place on the 6th of November at Waddington’s Auction Rooms in Toronto
With an estimated net worth of around $2 billion, Bronfman was recently ranked by the Forbes magazine as the 15th wealthiest Canadian and 165th in the world.
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Charles Bronfman / Getty
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Charles Bronfman was born and raised in Montreal, Canada, the son of Sam and Saidye Bronfman, founders of the Distillers Corporation owners of Seagrams Whisky.
After completing high school in Montreal, Bronfman went on to study at McGill University in the city, before spending most of his business life as part of the senior management team at the Seagram Company , serving as Chairman of the Executive Committee since 1975.and Co-Chairman until the company became part of the Vivendi Corporation in 2000.
From 1997 to 2006 Charles Bronfman acted as chairman of Koor Industries Ltd., one of Israel’s largest industrial holding companies, as well as indulging his sporting interest by being the principal owner of the Montreal Expos Baseball Club during the years 1968 to 1990.
As Chairman of The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies Inc., Mr. Bronfman oversees a family of charitable foundations in Israel, Canada and the United States.
Mr. Bronfman’s lifelong commitment to Jewish affairs led him to take up the roles as the first Chairman of the United Jewish Communities, formed after the three major North American support organization- the United Jewish Appeal, the Council of Jewish Federations and the United Israel Appeal decided to amalgamate. Charles Bronfman currently acts as Honorary President of the United Israel Appeal of Canada
During 2012, Mr. Bronfman announced that he will be endowing $10 million to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to support their renovation of the Heichal Hatarbut concert house in Tel Aviv, where they traditionally perform. In recognition of his landmark gift, the new concert hall is to be named the Charles R. Bronfman Auditorium .
Charles Bronfman is particularly well known for his role as co- founder and co-chairman of the Taglit Birthright Israel program, which provides an educational travel experience to Israel for young Jewish adults aged between 18 to 26.
