Art News

Author Michael Crichton Collection Features World-Class Artists

Jasper Johns' "Flag," a pop art rendition of the American flag created in the 1960's that author Michael Crichton bought from the artist in 1973. One of many in Crichton's collection at Christie's Post-War and Contemporary Art sale in New York on May 11-12, 2010. AP Photo/Christie's.

NEW YORK, NY (AP).- Best-selling author Michael
Crichton approached art in the same way he did his writing —
through
extensive research — but also by developing close friendships with
many of
the artists whose works he collected. The popular thriller writer
died in
2008 leaving behind such blockbusters as “Jurassic Park,” ”The
Andromeda Strain” and the TV series “ER.”
But he also
left a 20th
century art collection that features some of pop art’s best known
artists,
including Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein and Claes Oldenburg.