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Steve Wynn Rumored as Rembrandt Buyer

Published: December 21, 2009
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© Patrick McMullan Company
Casino owner Stephen A. Wynn spent some quality time with action hero Sylvester Stallone at Art Basel Miami Beach.


Courtesy Christie's
Rembrandt’s "Portrait of a Man, Half-Length, With His Arms Akimbo" (1658) sold at Christie’s London for $33.2 million on Dec. 8.

LONDON—Stephen A. Wynn looked carefree at Art Basel Miami Beach earlier this month, wandering the convention hall with friend Sylvester Stallone. But according to reports, that appears to have been a brief bit of relaxation before some major action in the auction house, with Wynn snapping up Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Man, Half-Length, With His Arms Akimbo (1658) at Christie’s London for $33.2 million on Dec. 8.

Rumor has it that the casino owner, who has a formidable collection of paintings, called various dealers prior to the sale, asking their opinions about the piece. Wynn, though, is staying quiet, telling Times reporter Carol Vogel, “I’m not discussing it, I’m not acknowledging my paintings anymore.” He attracted attention in the art world in 2006 after reportedly putting his elbow through Picasso’s 1932 Le Rêve, damaging the work.

If Wynn is the buyer, the Rembrandt will have a good friend in the form of a self-portrait by the artist that Wynn added to his collection in 2003 for $11.3 million, that time from Sotheby’s London. That time, he reportedly bid via telephone in the bathroom of his home while his wife slept in the adjoining room. It is unclear if she is aware of his new purchase.

Read more at the New York Times.

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