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How Koch’s West Was Won

Christie’s $84 million sale of William Koch’s Western art unfolded like a friendly poker night, led by two unnamed, deep-pocketed collectors who helped drive prices well above estimates. But that doesn’t mean all is well in the world of American art. Some segments still have a ways to run back toward their previous highs.

Christie's art auction
The same bidder also took home the cover lot for the sale: 'Coming to the Call,' Frederic Remington’s own bid at making “modern” art, which depicts a moose on the shore of a lake illuminated by vivid green and yellow hues that simulate the gloaming of sunset. That painting sold for nearly $13.3 million. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's
Marion Maneker
January 25, 2026

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Because I couldn’t help myself, earlier this week I headed into Manhattan for Christie’s evening sale of the $50 million collection of William Koch, one of the four Koch brothers who inherited their father’s oil-refining and engineering business. In 1983, Bill and one of his brothers, Fred, were bought out of the business by David, his twin, and the fourth brother, Charles. Charles and David would grow Koch Industries into a massive privately held industrial conglomerate with 120,000 employees. Bill used the money he received for his share of the family business to invest and collect rare wines, Americana, maritime memorabilia—he won the America’s Cup in 1992—and art, especially Western art.