Harry Macklowe and Linda Macklowe had quietly amassed one of the largest collections of private art the world had ever seen. Harry was a highly-successful real estate developer, but it was his wife, Linda, who had the stronger passion for fine art. On weekends, the couple visited art galleries and shows, developing relationships with gallery owners and world-renowned artists. Over decades of marriage, the couple amassed 165 iconic works by artists like Picasso, Pollock, and Warhol.

Between two auctions in 2021 and 2022, the collection that had taken decades to assemble was sold off in a matter of hours. After the Macklowes were unable to agree on either the value or method of distributing the parties’ art collection in their contested divorce, Judge Laura Drager ordered a fire sale. This judicial order triggered what was at the time the largest private-collection art auction in history.