SKINNER FINE PAINTINGS AUCTION TO OFFER WORKS BY TANGUY, HASSAM, DUNNING
Sale features fresh to market American & European material from the 19th and 20th centuries
BOSTON, Mass. – May 7, 2010 – Skinner, Inc will host its second fine paintings auction of the year with an incredible offering of American & European Paintings & Prints on Friday, May 21st at noon in the Boston gallery. Expectations are high, following stellar results of Skinner’s January sale, based again on the freshness of the auction’s material.
One of the more important pieces being offered is Yves Tanguy’s Un peu après (A Little Later). This fantastic work from 1940 had been hidden since the 1970s when it was last shown. The painting comes to Skinner from the estate of Mary Lee Ingbar of Cambridge, MA, who acquired it from her parents. It is estimated at $300,000 to $500,000. From the same collection comes a wonderful group of artists’ books. Of note is L’Antitête by Tristan Tzara. Tzara was a member of the Dada movement and later joined the Surrealists. L'Antitête was written as three anthologies, and in this second edition of the work, each artist illustrated one volume – Max Ernst the first, Yves Tanguy the second, and Joan Miró the last. The book is estimated at $40,000 to $60,000. A second fine example of an artist’s book, of which there are approximately 20 being offered in the sale, is Foirades/Fizzles by Samuel Beckett, illustrated by Jasper Johns. It is estimated at $12,000 to $18,000.
Also up for bid is At the Grand Prix by Childe Hassam. This gem of a pastel is one of only approximately eight created by Hassam between 1887 and 1889 while in Paris, and has been in the same private collection for several decades. It is estimated at $150,000 to $200,000. Still Life with Fruit by Robert Spear Dunning, co-founder of the Fall River School of still life painting is being offered as well. The pristine work reflects the elegance of the period and descended from a Southern New England family that held the piece for several decades. It is estimated at $50,000 to $70,000. Rounding out the key highlights is Lyonel Feininger’s It Happened in a Dream. This great example of Feininger’s work is estimated at $40,000 to $60,000.
According to Robin Starr, Director of American & European Paintings & Prints at Skinner, “With offerings such as the Dunning, the Hassam, a Charles Courtney Curran, and others, we’re staying true to our roots as a premier auctioneer of 19th century American paintings. At the same time, we are continuing our new focus with strong 20th century material.” Starr continued, “This sale is very much an extension of the caliber of pieces we enjoyed in our January sale. As such, expectations are that bidders won’t stop until they get the works they want.”
Previews, Catalog and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Wed, May 19th from 12 to 5 p.m., on Thurs, May 20th from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fri, May 21st 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 #2507 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.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers globally and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Textiles & Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Science & Technology & Clocks, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys & Dolls, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information, visit www.skinnerinc.com.
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Contacts
- Robin Starr, Director of American & European Paintings & Prints, 508-970-3259, rstarr@skinnerinc.com
- Catherine Riedel, Director of Marketing, 508-970-3231, criedel@skinnerinc.com