Modern Masters Lead Christie’s May Sale Of Important American Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture

8/2/2019 Modern Masters Lead Christies May Sale Of Important American Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture

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For Immediate Release

April 26, 2012

Contact: Sara Fox [email protected] tel +1 212 636 2680Jaime Bernice [email protected] tel +1 212 636 2680

MODERN MASTERS LEAD CHRISTIES MAY SALEOF IMPORTANT AMERICAN PAINTINGS,

DRAWINGS & SCULPTURE

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE WORKS BYLANE,BLUEMNER,ROCKWELL,OKEEFFE,AND HASSAM

New York- On May 16, Christies will present the sale ofImportant American Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture,

featuring 100 lots that span a multitude of genres, including Impressionism, Modernism, 19 th Century, and

Illustration. With lots ranging in estimate from $10,000 to $3 million, this sale presents collectors of all levels

with the exciting opportunity to expand their collections with truly remarkable works. The sale is expected

to realize in excess of $22 million.

Fitz Henry Lane, Gloucester, Stage Fort Beach, Painted in 1849, Estimate $2,000,000-3,000,000
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Leading the sale is Fitz Henry Lanes (1804-1865), Gloucester, Stage Fort Beach, painted in 1849; a seminal

paintingwhich marked the birth of the artists mature style, heralding a new direction for American Art in

the mid-19th century (pictured page 1, estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000). Lane was a close follower of luminism,

which some deem as the aesthetic counterpart to the Transcendentalist theories of Ralph Waldo Emerson

and David Thoreau. Gloucester, Stage Fort Beachdepicts the site where English Settlers first landed on CapeAnn in the 1600s, and Gloucester is also the birthplace of the artist. The keen attention to detail in this

landscape, from the depiction of wildlife and fauna in the foreground to the sailboats in the distance, are

combined with luminist techniques. The painting retains its original frame and has been in a private

collection for nearly 30 years. Works comparable in style and time period to this painting are nearly all

owned by major museums and public collections.

Oscar Bluemners (1867-1938) Perth Amboy West (Tottenville) is one of the earliest, large scale paintings to

employ the artists thoroughly modern style (pictured below, estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000). Bluemner

believed it was a viewers common surroundings that could elicit the most powerful emotional response. Inthis New Jersey landscape, the scene has been

reduced to its most basic forms, bordering on

complete abstraction. The artists simplification

of the trees, river, and buildings, as well as his

broad and emotive brushwork, create a restless

and captivating composition, adhering to the

style that distinguished the artist from his

contemporaries. Perth Amboy West (Tottenville)was

exhibited in the major show of the artists workat the Whitney Museum of American Art in New

York in 2006.

Georgia OKeeffes (1887-1986) Deer Horns, painted in 1938, displays the artists

fascination with the vast, rugged landscape and the spiritual character of New Mexico

(estimate: $1,200,0001,800,000). In the present work, OKeeffe utilizes crisp lines

and modulated tones of white, beige and orange to capture the various forms and

textures of the skull and antlers, which reach like flames into the sky. She sets theskull against a flat blue sky to further accentuate these forms and closely crops the

composition, separating her subject from a larger context and creating an almost

surreal composition. OKeeffe often found importance in the variety of organic

objects she found in the desert and, in 1939, she began exhibiting her bone paintings,

includingDeer Horns, at her husband, Alfred Stieglitzs gallery.


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A highlight among the illustrations in the sale is Dreams of Long Ago by

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) (pictured left, estimate: $2,000,000-

3,000,000). A quintessential painting by the artist, Dreams of Long Ago

employs themes of humor, sentimentality, and nostalgia in its depictionof an aging cowboy, in full western regalia, with his chin resting in his

hand, dreaming of a time passed. Painted as a cover for the August 13,

1927 The Saturday Evening Post, the paintingis a touching depiction of one

of Rockwells favorite models and local New Rochelle resident, James K.

Van Brunt.Another featured illustration is Maxfield Parrishs (1870-1966) Puss

in Boots, whichwas originally painted as the cover illustration for a

1914 issue of Hearst Magazine (pictured right, estimate: $1,200,000-1,800,000). One of eight fairytales published in 1697, the fanciful

subject matter makes the painting a classic work by Parrish in the

early 20th century. In the scene depicted, the feline protagonist is

speaking with the King in the stage-like foreground, overlooking a

fantastical mountain village. Parrishs attention to detail and design

are underscored with well-defined and vividly-colored figures and

majestic topography. Puss in Bootswas also painted with glazes, a

process often employed by Parrish. Influenced by the Old Master

painters, this was a slow, meticulous process that resulted inmagnificent luminosity and intensity of color.

Leading the American Impressionist works in the sale is Frank Weston

Bensons (1862-1951) Portrait of Gertrude Russell, an intimate depiction of an

11 year old girl from a prominent Massachusetts family, which has been in

the family of the sitter since it was painted in 1915 (pictured left, estimate:

$1,000,000-1,500,000). With its refined subject matter and sensitive

execution, the portrait exemplifies the rarefied aesthetic of the Boston

School, and affirms the place of Bensons portraits among his finest works.


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Another work from the Boston School is Childe Hassams (1859-1935),

La Fruitire, circa 1887-89, which depicts a wonderfully engaging treatment

of the shops that lined the streets outside his studio in Montmartre, Paris

(pictured right, estimate: $800,000-1,200,000). Hassams use of bold

brushwork, applied with thick, rich impasto articulates his subject in adaring and modern way. Also among the Impressionist works offered is

Mary Cassatts (1844-1926) Sara Holding a Cat, painted in 1908, during the

artists acclaimed mature style, in which she explored the theme of the

single child (estimate: $800,000-1,200,000).

Martin Johson Heades (1819-1904) Hummingbird and Two Types of Orchids,

painted circa 1890-1904, is a masterful composition that combines the

hallmarks of the nineteenth century with the artists brilliant talents (pictured left,estimate: $600,000-800,000). Heade was captivated by the natural world and its

unpredictable power. His curiosity, compacted with the sojourns he took to

South America and Jamaica, led him to create his most iconic body of works;

those of orchids and hummingbirds.

Auction: American Paintings 16 May 2012

Viewing: Christies Galleries, 20 Rockefeller Plaza 12- 15 May 2012

About ChristiesChristies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled 3.6 billion/$5.7 billion. Christiesis a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing apopular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areasof fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie'also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War andContemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled 502 million / $808.6m in 2011, anincrease of 44% on the previous year.

Christies has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New YorkParis, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zrich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Chri sties has led the market with expandedinitiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions inBeijing, Mumbai and Dubai.

*Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyeror sellers credits.

# # # Images available on request

Visit Christies Website atwww.christies.comComplete catalogue available online atwww.christies.comor via the Christies iPhone app
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Modern Masters Lead Christie’s May Sale Of Important American Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture