Johns' 'Flag' owned by Michael Crichton to be sold

[February 05, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- Christie's auction house is selling one of Jasper Johns' iconic American flag paintings from the collection of "Jurassic Park" author Michael Crichton.

Crichton was an avid art collector and an authority on pop art pioneer Johns. "Flag" of 1960-1966 is one of a series of Stars and Stripes paintings by the artist. It has not been offered for sale since Crichton bought it 30 years ago.

Crichton, who also created the award-winning TV hospital series "ER," died of cancer in November 2008 at the age of 66. Christie's is also selling works by Pablo Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg and Roy Lichtenstein from Crichton's collection.

The works go display in London Friday and will be sold in New York on May 11. They are valued collectively at 20 million pounds ($32 million).

[Associated Press]

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