This fall is marked by doors opening anew—from our relocated New York HQ, housed in an architectural icon, to the storied interiors of an exceptional patron's London home and the rising cultural landscape of Abu Dhabi.

“What should a museum look like, a museum in Manhattan?” With this question, Marcel Breuer opened his 1963 presentation to the trustees of the Whitney Museum. In grappling with the answer, the Hungarian-born architect envisioned what would become the granite-clad, inverse ziggurat at 945 Madison Avenue-a bold brutalist icon conceived as a deeply considered public space that has since offered visitors the opportunity to encounter not only the Whitney's holdings but also, over the decades, substantial parts of the Met's and Frick's collections.

In our cover story, architectural historian Barry Bergdoll explores both Breuer the man and Breuer the building, soon to begin a new chapter as Sotheby's New York headquarters. Complemented by behind-the-scenes photography by Stefan Ruiz, shot in June to document the restoration in progress, the story offers a first look at the work being done to preserve the building for future generations ahead of its public unveiling this November, when it will reopen as a cultural hub for all.

Breuer's legacy resonates throughout the issue-from a visit to fashion designer Nili Lotan's home, designed by the architect to overlook the Hudson River, to a deep dive with Nicholas Fox Weber, director of the Albers Foundation, into the creative practices and tools of Anni and Josef Albers, who both worked alongside Breuer at the Bauhaus, contributing significantly to the school's innovative design education and artistic legacy. And on our back page, we celebrate early prototypes of his groundbreaking tubular-steel furniture, tracing their near-century-long influence on generations of designers.

Stepping into another hallowed art space, we enter the London home of Pauline Karpidas, the patron best known for nurturing fresh artistic talent through her annual exhibitions and gatherings on the Greek island of Hydra. The apartment was a more intimate space, animated by contemporary design from the likes of Les Lalanne and Mattia Bonetti, where she gathered the great works that had instructed her eye-an exceptional collection of surrealist masterpieces. The dreamlike abode will be recreated in our London galleries from September 8, ahead of a landmark series of single-owner auctions. This extraordinary early René Magritte (above) is one of the collection's highlights and its palette runs through our four editorial acts.

Four because we have added a bonus section in recognition of the swell of cultural happenings coming to Abu Dhabi this season, ahead of Sotheby's inaugural auctions in the emirate. Features include a travel portfolio charting its historic sites and modern marvels, a group profile of four flourishing artists operating in the capital and a preview of the Norman Foster-designed Zayed National Museum opening this December. As Manuel Rabaté, director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, puts it, “Abu Dhabi is building not just museums but a whole cultural constellation that nurtures and inspires.”

Elsewhere, we excerpt photographer Sally Mann's new book, "Art Work: On the Creative Life," pay a fashion-infused visit to Morocco with visual artist Viviane Sassen and stylist Alexandra Carl, and learn how the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize is elevating craftsmanship for today. Read on and step through the threshold.

Kristina O’Neill, Editor in Chief
Instagram: @kristina_oneill

As the seasons continue to shift, there’s a feeling of new light and life continuing to reveal itself. The theme of unveilings resonates throughout the issue, with discoveries of new talents and Old Masters alike.

This month, Sotheby’s will offer the Saunders Collection in New York, one of the greatest assemblies of Old Masters to come to auction in living memory. Fittingly, collectors Jordan and Thomas Saunders were advised by one of our chairmen and longest-tenured specialists, George Wachter, who first joined the Old Master Paintings department in London in 1973. He spent many years guiding the couple as they assembled the collection for their home, sourcing works around the world, focusing on quality above all else.

Wachter recollected to me the story of hunting down this painting by Jan Davidszoon de Heem, for which he traveled to Rome. “We spent four days there, working out of the office we had on the Piazza di Spagna. A man arrived and trudged up the three flights with a garbage bag. At the top, he pulled out this masterpiece—a knock your socks off masterpiece—we almost fainted when we saw it.” The work’s virtuoso rendering of flowers and their rich palette of colors serves as the inspiration for our three editorial act openers.

Thinking of new masters, our Collector’s Item story details the relationship between Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí and photographer Philippe Halsman. It’s illustrated with images of Halsman’s studio kit, taken by our regular contributor, Henry Leutwyler, who, in producing such an extensive body of work on a fellow practitioner’s approach, pioneered a new form of layered storytelling.

Our cover story reveals how star film-maker Yorgos Lanthimos is exhibiting his passion for still photography for the first time. In other features, we preview the Goodwood Art Foundation, where the Duke of Richmond is connecting contemporary art with nature, and stop in at the apartment of Nathan and Catherine Bruckner, founders of the interior design practice Casalta. Touching on new books, we carry an excerpt from “The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland” by writer Michelle Young, and ask design expert Patrick Seguin to answer our Collected Wisdom Q&A as he releases a new tome on his collection of Jean Prouvé objects.

We also see fashion in new ways. In The Artist Portfolio, photographer Olivier Kervern transports us to the art-filled Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, on the Hawaiian island, where the season’s new looks harmonize with sculptural forms. Lastly, catch a first look at the capsule collection by FRAME in collaboration with Sotheby’s—31 pieces that marry our legacy with FRAME’s signature spin on modern classics. Available June 4 at frame-store.com. Get it before it’s going, going, gone.

Kristina O’Neill, Editor in Chief
Instagram: @kristina_oneill

True creativity emerges from the intersection of people, ideas and worlds. Fashion, as a globalized creative field, demonstrates this with its commitment to forever looking outwards—often toward the world of art.

This issue’s cover story amounts to something of a manifesto for the magazine. Bringing to life the extraordinary photographer duo Inez and Vinoodh’s vision of capturing model and activist Anja Rubik with storied art dealer Jeffrey Deitch in his fabulously art-filled home was an ambitious goal, not least in scheduling. But it reflects our commitment to go out to the people making change happen, to visit their homes and to bring their perspectives to you firsthand.

In 1972, Deitch opened his first gallery in Lenox, Massachusetts, as a college student. He has not looked back since, forging a dealing and curatorial career stretching from New York to Los Angeles. His 1920s home in L.A.—once the residence of Cary Grant—is a testament to his commitment to young artists. It also served as a dream backdrop to hand the reins of The Artist Portfolio over to Inez and Vinoodh. Their pictures and the accompanying profile of Deitch by writer Lesley M.M. Blume were produced before the city’s devastating wildfires, which thankfully spared his home. Our hearts go out to the entire L.A. community as it works towards recovery, including its art and cultural institutions.

The commingling of fashion and art runs through the whole issue. We have a story on Ulla Johnson’s thoughtful collaboration with the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, detailing how the designer used three paintings by abstract expressionist Lee Krasner as inspiration for her new collection. There is a trip to the perfectly preserved Barcelona home of the Italian jewelry designer Elsa Peretti. Staying on that side of the pond, we learn how designer Victoria Beckham blends art and antiques into her life as she answers our signature collecting Q&A. Approaching the theme from the other side, we have images by photographer Tyler Mitchell from his new exhibition at Gagosian’s New York gallery.

We also have an exclusive excerpt from Blake Gopnik’s forthcoming book on pharmaceutical tycoon and visionary arts patron Albert Barnes. It is an incredible tale of commissioning a Matisse and insight into the making of a museum that has served as a place of inspiration for so many creatives. Elsewhere, we asked curator Paola Antonelli to share some objects in her new exhibition about everyday design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. “I included Crocs,” she explains, “because I would not be caught dead with a pair on.”

Kristina O’Neill, Editor in Chief
Instagram: @kristina_oneill

The still waters of beauty run deep

It is a coincidence of timing that many of our stories in this issue coalesce around the theme of American achievement, but we could not lead with a finer representative. Tom Brady is an icon of sporting excellence, unparalleled in his longevity and success as an NFL quarterback. Read our interview on the memories and memorabilia of his journey and learn about the watch collection that’s even better than you knew, ahead of his near autobiographical auction next month.

Michael S. Smith, the interior designer who received America’s greatest commission—to redecorate the White House for President Barack Obama—has now turned his talents to a home for himself and his partner James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, on the Balearic island of Mallorca. The island reminds Smith of his childhood in Orange County, California, but when creating the villa’s interiors he surrendered to the local vernacular, employing Spanish craftsmanship throughout.

In other pages, read an excerpt from Lili Anolik’s new book, “Didion & Babitz,” and learn how writer Eve Babitz ended up playing chess in the nude with Marcel Duchamp. It was all arranged by photographer Julian Wasser, who shot the pair over the course of several games. Wasser allowed Babitz to choose the famous photo that made its way to the public. In that image, her hair covers her face, rendering her somewhat anonymous. But the contact sheet from that day, which runs alongside the text, reveals a different story: She is fully present, smiling and engaged in the game.

Elsewhere, one of our staff columnists, Sotheby’s 20th-century design expert Jodi Pollack, unpacks the contributions of Louis Comfort Tiffany to the American art and design landscape through the lens of a remarkable window. Having served as the first design director at the family company, Tiffany & Co., he went on to found Tiffany Studios and to master glass as an artistic medium.

Away from the U.S., we visit Christian Moueix at his new winery designed by his friends Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, and stop by the restaurant in London in which Lucian Freud ate breakfast nearly every morning for 15 years.

Claude Monet’s “Nymphéas” will make its auction debut this month, as part of the collection of the late beauty industry magnate and philanthropist Sydell Miller. The work marked a radical shift in Monet’s approach to capturing waterlilies, the subject that would become his magnum opus. The painting’s palette has informed the colors of our three editorial acts.

In a fusion of the above themes, we turned to veteran photographer Stephen Shore for the latest installment of The Artist Portfolio. Shot in his own garden in upstate New York, the images take their power, as Monet did, from the greatest inspiration of all—nature.

Kristina O’Neill, Editor in Chief
Instagram: @kristina_oneill

Nurturing new growth from old wood

It is an absolute thrill to introduce myself as the new Editor in Chief of Sotheby’s Magazine. As we mark Sotheby’s 280th anniversary, it is an honor to present a new vision, which celebrates our rich heritage while introducing fresh storytelling that resonates with our global audience.

As you will read over the coming weeks, our relaunch issue emphasizes our commitment to excellence, with features covering creative pioneers from Titus Kaphar to Lee Miller and cultural champions from Dorothy Miller to Reed and Delphine Krakoff. I am delighted to have Lucas Oliver Mill, Orna Guralnik and Ruby Guralnik Dawes bring their insights to new columns that will consider collectors as an almost anthropological type, unpacking walls and unpicking minds, respectively. We’ve also tapped our very own specialists to share their wisdom on the breadth of art and objects that pass through Sotheby’s salerooms. These articles, among others, showcase the dynamic content you can expect from us.

At Sotheby’s, we celebrate art, culture and luxury, while fostering a platform for dialogue and discovery. Our mission is to bring you closer to the artists, collectors and visionaries shaping our world. We are not just observers but active participants in the grand conversation of culture. My hope is that you will join our community and, from these stories, cultivate new ways of seeing.

I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to sharing it with you.

Kristina O’Neill, Editor in Chief
Instagram: @kristina_oneill