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# Frank Sinatra Had an Unknown Talent for Abstract Art
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/frank-sinatra-sothebys-sale/
- Published: 2018-09-27T19:49:14.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:40:09.000Z
- Description: His 1991 painting "Abstract after Mondrian" is one of multiple Sinatra originals for sale in the estate auction
- Author: Jasmine Weber
- Tags: In Brief, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-18 14:37 (2018)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2018/09/frank-sinatra-abstract-after-mondrian-1991-1460.jpg)

Frank Sinatra, “Abstract after Mondrian” (1991), oil on canvas (all images courtesy of Sotheby’s)

This December, Sotheby’s will [auction off the estate of Barbara Sinatra](http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2018/lady-blue-eyes-property-barbara-frank-sinatra-n09963.html?locale=en&ref=hyperallergic.com), wife to Frank Sinatra, with a host of artwork, jewelry, furniture, and memorabilia. The sale, titled for Barbara’s memoir *Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra*, will provide a newfound insight into the lives of the musical royalty — and into the artistic career of Frank Sinatra himself.

An oil on canvas painted by the crooner, “Abstract after Mondrian,” is expected to sell for $10,000–15,000\. With a clear reverence for artist Piet Mondrian, the artwork elucidates a widely unknown side of the singer and actor extraordinaire, with an uncharted knack for abstraction. Additional paintings by Sinatra will be unveiled at the sale’s exhibition.

Among other artworks hanging in the Sinatra home include a Norman Rockwell portrait of Sinatra; works by Pablo Picasso, Childe Hassam, and Walt Kuhn; and a quite strange set of ceramic kitchen “lettuceware.”

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the [Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center](http://barbarasinatrachildrenscenter.org/?ref=hyperallergic.com).

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2018/09/norman-rockwell-sinatra-an-american-classic-portrait-of-frank-sinatra-1973-1460.jpg)

Norman Rockwell, “Sinatra an American Classic (Portrait of Frank Sinatra)”(1973), oil on canvas

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2018/09/walt-kuhn-girl-with-turban-zuleika-1938-1460.jpg)

Walt Kuhn, “Girl With Turban (Zuleika)” (1938), oil on canvas

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2018/09/a-dodie-thayer-pottery-lettuceware-part-service-modern-1460.jpg)

Dodie Thayer pottery lettuceware