Important works by noted, listed artists, plus two notable Modernism collections, just came in.
(MILFORD, Conn.) – Late additions to what was already a packed sale are promising to make the Shannon’s Fine Art Auction slated for Thursday, Oct. 27, an event to remember. New consignments by prominent artists – including a pair of collections dedicated to Modernism, a category that is particularly hot right now — have poured in just over the last couple of weeks.
The auction already boasted original works of art by such renowned painters as Jasper Cropsey, Birge Harrison, Martha Walter, John White Alexander and others. The new additions pushed the number of lots that will cross the block to 213. The pre-auction estimates for all the artworks combined total $2.5-$3.5 million.
Scene of Bryant Park in New York City by Birge Harrison (1854-1929), est. $100,000-$150,000
Following is just a small sampling of what has only recently been consigned:
• An original painting by Thomas Moran (U.K./Calif., 1837-1926), titled A View Near Cuernavaca, Mexico (est. $40,000-$60,000). Mr. Moran is regarded as the primary artist of the final decades of Western exploration, working both in watercolor and oil.
• A still life rendering by Robert Spear Dunning (Mass./N.H., 1829-1905, est. $30,000-$50,000). Mr. Dunning was a founder of the Fall River School in Massachusetts, which emphasized still life paintings, but he also painted portraits and landscapes.
• An original oil painting by Mary Bradish Titcomb (Mass., 1858-1927, est. $30,000-$50,000). Ms. Titcomb was born in New Hampshire but lived mostly in Boston and frequently traveled out West to paint. She did marine, landscape and portrait work.
• An original painting by Worthington Whittredge (N.J./N.Y., 1820-1910, est. $20,000-$30,000). Mr. Whittredge was born in a log cabin in Springfield, Ohio, but went on to become one of the foremost painters in the First Generation Hudson River School.
• An original still life by Severin Roesen (Penn., 1815-1872, est. $20,000-$30,000). Mr. Roesen was known for his sumptuous, highly realistic still life renderings, done with a brilliant palette in the tradition of the 17th century Dutch and German painters.
Original oil painting by Worthington Whittredge (1820-1910), est. $20,000-$30,000.
The Modernist collections will feature works by Ilya Bolotowsky (est. $25,000-$35,000); Alexander Calder (est. $40,000-$60,000); Gene Davis (est. $50,000-$75,000); Theodoros Stamos (est. $40,000-$60,000); Paul Jenkins (est. $30,000-$50,000); Blanche Lazzell (est. $25,000-$35,000); Rolph Scarlett (est. $25,000-$35,000), Gerald Laing, John Marin and others.
European artworks will include offerings by Hugues Merle (est. $60,000-$80,000); Edouard Cortes (est. $25,000-$35,000); Hans Dahl (est. $20,000-$30,000); Frans Masereel (est. $20,000-$30,000); Carl von Stetten, Charles Hunt, Jean Dufy, Everett Pieters and George Russell. Sculptures will feature works by Bessie Potter Vonnoh and Anna Hyatt Huntington.
Other paintings of interest will be by John George Brown, Walter Launt Palmer, Charles Courtney Curran, Richard E. Miller and F.A. Bridgman. Fine prints will feature examples by Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, George Bellows, Chuck Close, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Grant Wood and others. A full catalog of all works to be sold may be viewed at www.shannons.com.
Three lots carry pre-sale estimates of $100,000-$150,000 and are expected to attract intense bidder interest. The first is a luminist view of the Hudson River by Jasper Cropsey (N.Y., 1823-1900). Mr. Cropsey was known for his autumnal landscapes, allegorical paintings and botanical renderings. He is a product of the Hudson River School and is coveted by collectors.
The second is a tea party painting by Martha Walter (1875-1976), who painted in France, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania over the course of her rich and fruitful career. She was best known for portrait work, beach-child-park paintings and landscapes. A second painting by her – a beach scene – will also come under the gavel. It is expected to command $60,000-$80,000.
Lastly is a Birge Harrison rendering of Bryant Part in New York City. Mr. Harrison (N.Y./Mass./Calif., 1854-1929) was born in Philadelphia and has been described as one of America’s leading tonalist painters. He specialized in moonlit landscapes, but he eschewed plein air work, preferring instead to paint from memory.
The auction will be held in Shannon’s spacious gallery facility, located at 354 Woodmont Road in Milford, located just off I-95 just south of New Haven. Online bidding will be facilitated by Artfact.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. Previews will be held from Oct. 17 up until auction day, Oct. 27, from 9-5:30 (except Sunday, Oct. 23, when the firm is closed).
Shannon’s only conducts two fine art auctions per year – in April and October – and when they happen, collectors do take notice. In the sale held this past April, bidders from 18 countries and 42 states participated, and the full bank of 20 phones was ringing all evening. Like last sale, a lively crowd is expected Oct. 27 when bidding begins promptly at 6 p.m. (EST).
Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers is one of only two auction houses in the country that sells only fine art. Its auctions include paintings, watercolors, drawings and rare prints. Historically, Shannon’s has specialized in American and European art executed between 1840 and 1940. But in recent years the firm has expanded more into post-war Modern and Pop art.
Shannon’s produces a 180-page, full-color catalog and an eight-page, oversize color brochure that is mailed to 18,000 clients. Paintings consigned to Shannon’s are viewed by collectors, museum directors, appraisers and clients with an interest in fine international art. The firm markets itself online worldwide and in newsletters and magazines in Europe and the U.S.
Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers will be accepting quality consignments for the April 2012 sale through March 1, 2012. To consign a single piece of artwork, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (203) 877-1711; or, you can e-mail them at [email protected]. To learn more about Shannon’s and the upcoming Oct. 27 fine art auction please log on to www.shannons.com.