Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Skinner Fine Painting Auction to Offer Wyeth, Close, Metcalf Works and Significant Collection of Photographs

Skinner, Inc’s American & European Paintings & Prints sale takes place on Friday, September 24th at noon in the Boston galler .

Many fine works come to the sale from private collections, including pieces from New England artists, bronzes, sculptures as well as multiples. Also being offered is an extensive collection of photographs, many shot in the Southwest, in and around New Mexico. Featured photographers include Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Laura Gilpin, James Clinton Bones, and Walter Chappell. The especially strong photography offerings span most of the 20th century.

The cover lot is a signed and dated work by Chuck Close. Prior to photorealism, Close worked in an abstract expressionist vein roughly from 1958 to 1962, beginning with his freshman year at Everett Junior College to his senior year at the University of Washington. The present work was created in the same year that Close graduated from UW and began the Yale MFA program, and marks the end of a transitional period before he began to focus on portraits and photography. It is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000.

Another featured work is Low Water, by American artist Andrew Newell Wyeth. The work was purchased from Doll & Richards, Boston, in September 1943 and gifted to a Massachusetts family then by family descent to the present owners. While the Wyeth foundation had known about the painting, they didn’t know of its whereabouts until now. The piece is estimated at $80,000 to $120,000.

Also highlighted is Purple and Gold/A Vermont Landscape by Willard Leroy Metcalf, one of “The Ten”. The work was one of fifteen shown at a seminal one-man exhibition in February 1923 that marked a critical point in Metcalf’s life and career. Following a bout of alcoholism, Metcalf still in the grips of the addiction, was given an opportunity by dealer Albert Milch to get sober in return for an exhibit. The sales from the exhibit were highly successful for Metcalf and the event marked a comeback for the artist. The piece is estimated at $100,000 to $150,000.

Previews, Catalog and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Wed, September 22nd from 12 to 5 p.m., on Thurs, September 23rd from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fri, September 24th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The Thursday evening preview will feature a reception and gallery walk beginning at 5:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. to 617-350-5400. Illustrated catalog #2517B is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Auction results will be available on the Skinner website during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive! For more information, visit www.skinnerinc.com or call 508-970-3000.

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