All Auctions held at The Pasadena Convention Center • 300 East Green Street Pasadena, California (Lower level • East Side • Euclid St.) • (626) 793-1833
On Tuesday, February 17th, John Moran Auctioneers will launch their 2009 art auction season with the sale of over 150 strong and carefully curated works that will captivate collectors worldwide. Three times each year in February, June and October, John Moran Auctioneers hosts the sale of works by California Impressionists, California style watercolorists, historical western artists and important American painters. Their February sale will be one of the strongest in the firm’s history with offerings by E. Carlton Fortune, Guy Rose, Guy Wiggins and many more.
Committed to the standard of high excellence in all their sales, Moran will disappoint no one in February as the “star” of the auction comes on the block. It’s an important museum-quality painting by the leading California female artist E. Charlton Fortune (California 1885-1969). Charlton, regarded as a pioneer in the world of female artists, is most known for her paintings in and around the Monterey Peninsula. In the second half of the 20th century, appreciation for her works skyrocketed and prices have far exceeded one million dollars.
“Gossips” depicts a group of women on a road near a village and is an impressive 38 by 45 inch canvas. The painting is an exceptional representation of Fortune’s expressive brushwork and use of light. “Gossips” is estimated to sell between $500,000 and $700,000.
Leading the California Impressionist category will be a gem-like portrait of a seated woman titled “Nude” by Guy Rose (California 1867-1925). Moran holds the second highest price achieved for this artist when, in 2001, they sold “Early Morning Summertime” for just over $1.2 million. Rose’s “Nude” showcases his singular ability to sumptuously paint the human form against the bold and colorful patterning of a kimono. This important work is estimated at $80-$100,000.
American artist Guy C. Wiggins (New York, 1883-1962) is beloved for his paintings of New York City snowfalls. His style incorporates the palette and techniques of French Impressionism painted with an American view point. On February 17th, Moran will offer “5th Avenue Storm,” a quintessential snowy New York oil, estimated at $30,000 to $50,000.
Maxfield Parrish (American 1870-1966) is considered the most reproduced artist in the history of art. Moran is honored to offer an important original painting from his most lavishly illustrated book, “The Knave of Hearts”, which was published in 1925. The illustration depicts a youth speaking to a frog and is expected to fetch between $125,000 – $175,000.
Carl Moon (California/Arizona, 1879-1948) will be a Western sale highlight represented by his rendering of an Indian in elaborate headdress and clothing titled “Chief Big Horse – Arapahoe”. Moran holds the second highest price achieved for this artist at auction when last year, at their February 2008 art auction, they sold “Indian Riders in a Southwestern Landscape” for $8,625. “Chief Big Horse” is estimated to bring $7,000 – 9,000.
John Moran Auctioneers California and American Fine Art Sale will begin promptly at 6:30pm on Tuesday, February 17th at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA. Preview will begin at 12 noon. Bidding for this sale is available from the floor, by phone and absentee as well as online via Live Auctioneers. A fully illustrated catalog of this sale will be available on their website prior to the auction. For more information on this important sale, please call the offices of John Moran Auctioneers at (626) 793-1833 or visit their website at www.johnmoran.com
