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NewsWPLG Local 10November 11, 2026Miami-Dade County

Ted Turner's estate auctions Western art collection to benefit the Turner Foundation

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Christie's is auctioning a collection of Western art from media mogul Ted Turner's Montana ranch on Jan. 20. The proceeds will benefit the Turner Foundation to support habitat preservation and bison restoration.

Arts and CultureConservationPhilanthropy
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10

Why It Matters

The sale transfers museum-quality art from private ownership to public auction, directing millions of dollars in proceeds toward landscape conservation and wildlife restoration projects across the American West.

Key Facts

  • Paintings by American masters Thomas Moran and Albert Bierstadt from Ted Turner's Montana ranch are scheduled to be auctioned by Christie's in New York.
  • The auction is set for Jan. 20.
  • Proceeds from the auction will go to the Turner Foundation to preserve natural habitats and restore species like bison.
  • Ted Turner died in May.
  • The art collection hung on the log walls of Turner's Flying D Ranch in south central Montana.
  • Featured works included a painting of Yosemite Valley, images of the Grand Canyon and Mount Jefferson, and Bierstadt's 'Buffalo at Sunset'.
  • Ted Turner began buying properties in Montana and elsewhere in the West during the 1980s.
  • Bison herds across Turner's properties currently number some 45,000, according to Ted Turner Enterprises.
  • The Flying D Ranch spans 178 square miles (460 square kilometers).

Who's Mentioned

locationAtlanta“City where Turner made his fortune and founded CNN.”PersonAlbert Bierstadt“Painter of the West whose works, including 'Buffalo at Sunset', hung in Turner's”OrganizationChristie's“Auction house handling the sale of the art collection in New York.”OrganizationTurner Foundation“Recipient of the auction proceeds to fund habitat preservation and species resto”OrganizationTed Turner Enterprises“Management company that tracks the bison population across Turner's properties.”locationNew York“City where the auction is scheduled to take place.”locationCincinnati“Birthplace of Ted Turner.”locationBillings“Montana city where the Associated Press report was datelined.”PersonTed Turner“Media mogul and conservationist who collected Western art and owned the Flying D”PersonTeddy Turner“Son of Ted Turner who discussed his father's art collection and passion for the ”locationMontana“State where Turner's Flying D Ranch and art collection were located.”PersonThomas Moran“American master painter whose works are part of the collection being auctioned.”