Stephen Lash

Stephen Lash (born February 10, 1940) is founder of Christie's North America and the Chairman Emeritus of Christie's New York.

Biography

He attended Avon Old Farms boarding school for boys.

He was a trustee to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. He also served as a Trustee of the Preservation League of New York State.

Christie's North America

Christie's hired Lash in 1976. For over ten years, Lash was the chairman of Christie's Americas. In 1984, Lash became the vice president in the estates and appraisals department.

Historic sale of Klimts

Under Lash's direction in 2006, the collection of Adele Bloch-Bauer niece Maria Altmann, which included four paintings by Gustav Klimt returned to Altmann after a decade-long legal battle, sold at Christie's. The paintings were Adele Bloch-Bauer II, Apple Tree I, Birch Trees, and Houses at Attersee. A fifth and final Klimt, Adele Bloch-Bauer I, sold in a private sale to billionaire Ronald Lauder in 2006 for $135 million.

Past and current boards

Lash has served on various boards for several organizations, some being:

• Peabody Essex Museum (co-chair)
• Ocean Liner Museum (founder)
• Museum of the City of New York (board member)
• New York Landmarks Conservancy (board member)
• American Friends of the Israel Museum (co-chair)
• New York University Institute of Fine Arts (president)

References