Fine art lovers are eagerly awaiting the October 21, 2008 sale of European Paintings to be mounted by international fine art auctioneers Bonhams. Scheduled to take place at the auctioneer’s expansive and luxuriously appointed New York showrooms and simulcast to the San Francisco salesroom, the auction will feature more than 300 lots for collectors of fine European paintings and members of the trade.
Sure to spark fierce bidding are two excellent works by Vittorio Regiannini. The first, humorously titled Fowl Play, is unusually animated featuring an elegant young lady playing with birds in the refreshingly incongruous milieu of a stately sitting room. Estimated at $100/150,000, the mastery of the piece is likely to tempt bidders.
Additionally, another Regiannini genre piece is expected to garner attention. The work features three genteel subjects studying a globe in a richly appointed drawing room. Clearly demonstrating the artist’s skill in the minute details of luxurious surroundings and lively expressions of the subjects, the piece is estimated at $60/80,000.
Of particular note is a wonderful piece from Eugen von Blaas. The painting is a prime example of von Blaas’ interest in the subject of young women of the lower classes going about their everyday lives. Titled A Pensive Beauty and signed by the artist, the painting is expected to bring $80,000 to $120,000.
Of the Old Masters to be offered is a work attributed to Alessandro di Cristofano Allori. This portrait of a noblewoman is striking in its painstaking attention to detail, seen in the subject’s elaborate lace collar and pearl trimmed gold dress (est. $40/60,000).
Other paintings within this group, which are likely to inspire fevered bidding are: a Madonna and Child in a landscape by the Master of the Naumberg Madonna, also estimated at $40/60,000, and an extensive landscape with a companion river landscape by Pieter Baut, the pair estimated at $20/30,000.
Two 19th Century works from a private collection should also draw quite a bit of interest. A lovely piece titled At the Well by Richard Ansdell and signed by the artist is estimated at $50/70,000; and a signed work titled Deux petits ciociari by Luigi Bechi, is estimated at $40/60,000.
Specialists also anticipate a charming work by Emile Munier will perform well. Titled Childhood Friends, the painting depicts a smiling toddler flanked by a puppy and a kitten. Signed and dated by the artist, it is estimated at $30/50,000.
Interesting is a piece from Jean-Jules-Antoine Lecomte du Nouy. Estimated at $20/30,000, the painting titled La lune de miel is signed and dated by the artist and was exhibited in Paris after its completion in 1875. Since that exhibition it has appeared in an impressive amount of literature, most recently in the accompanying catalogue of a 2004 exhibition – From Homer to the Harem: The Art of Jean Lecomte du Nouy – presented by the Dahesh Museum (formerly located in the Madison Avenue space which Bonhams New York now occupies).
Collectors of both Spanish and Orientalist scenes should be excited with the offering of an exceptional watercolor by Checa Sanz Ulpiano. Though rarely seen at market, Ulpiano is known for his Fantasia scenes and this piece is a particularly nice example of the type. Depicting Arab horseback riders storming from the portal of a fortress, the watercolor lends the scene a decidedly whimsical, fairytale-like quality. Estimated at $20/30,000, an archetypal Orientalist scene such as this from a Spanish artist is certain to appeal to collectors.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to present such a well-rounded sale with a broad array of styles represented,” states European Paintings Specialist Malcolm Walker. “And, as is always the case, there are a few jewels which we are sure will bring pleasant surprises on Oct. 21st.”
The illustrated auction catalog will be online for review and purchase in the weeks preceding the sale at www.bonhams.com/us. Previews open at Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco on Oct 10-12 and in New York City on October 18th continuing daily until the day of the auction. For more information on the specialty area of European Paintings, visit: www.bonhams.com/uspictures.
