SKINNER TO OFFER AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN PAINTINGS
NOVEMBER 17TH IN BOSTON
Frederick Carl Frieseke, Jane Peterson, Frank Benson, Robert Salmon
John Frederick Peto,
Andy Warhol, Aiden Lassell Ripley, Laura Coombs Hills, and Harriet Frishmuth
BOSTON, Mass. - November, 1, 2006
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, Inc. one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, will host an auction of American and European paintings on Friday, November 17th, at 4:00 p.m. in its Boston gallery at 63 Park Plaza. The auction includes over 500 lots and features works by Frederick Carl Frieseke, Jane Peterson, Frank Benson, Robert Salmon, John Frederick Peto, Andy Warhol, Aiden Lassell Ripley, Laura Coombs Hills, and Harriet Frishmuth, among others.
Highlighting the selections is an oil on canvas by American painter Frederick Carl Frieseke, Young Girl with Mirror, estimated $300,000-500,000. Born in Owosso, Michigan, in 1874, American Impressionist Frederick C. Frieseke was a leading member of the “Giverny Group,” a group of American artists working in France that included Richard Miller, Lawton Parker, Karl Anderson and Guy Rose. As a young man, Frieseke was drawn to Paris where he studied at the Académie Julian and then with James A. M. Whistler at the Académie Carmen.
Frieseke had great success in many exhibitions including the American Art Association of Paris, the Saint Louis International Exhibition, and the Munich Exhibition, where he won a gold medal for his work. He was one of the few Americans to be entered into the Society National des Beaux Arts in Paris and was renowned in France. Frieseke gained importance in America as well, and was elected an academician of the National Academy of Design in New York. Influenced by Impressionism and the palettes of Renoir and Monet, Frieseke often painted in a style that included bathing his sitters in stark sunlight. His subject choice is strongly influenced by Whistler, seen in his in his decorative portrayal of women in often sparsely-furnished interiors. This piece is an example of this style, with the use of a delicate palette and soft detail of a woman glancing downward. Most likely done in Le Mesnil-sur-Blangy, this painting, with its light tone and warm character, is a magnificent example of his work and clearly reveals Renoir’s influence. The painting comes to Skinner from a collection of a Martha's Vineyard and Texas family.
European Paintings
The auction begins with a fine selection of European offerings. Highlights include Playtime, an oil on panel by French artist Pierre Edoard Frére, one of the most popular genre painters of the mid-19th century, best known for his domestic scenes with peasant children. It is estimated at $20,000-25,000. Other fine selections include Work Horses Going Home/A View in Cornwall, England, (est. $10,000-20,000) an oil on canvas by British painter Lucy Elizabeth Kemp-Welch. Welch is best known for her depictions of horses and her work is currently in the collection of numerous public and private collections, including the Tate Museum. Also, Sheep and Shepardess, an oil on canvas by Belgian artist Cornelius van Leemputten, estimated $10,000-15,000.
American Offerings
Beyond the Frieseke, American offerings are numerous and include Coastal View Rockport, beautiful oil on canvas landscape by Jane Peterson, estimated $75,000-125,000. From a private New England collection comes Tent, Lake Tahoe, a watercolor with pencil on paper by Frank Weston Benson, a leading Boston school painter, estimated $40,000-60,000. Another fine selection is The French Canadian Trapper, an oil on board en grisaille, by Frederic Sackrider Remington, noted painter of the American West. It is estimated $30,000-50,000.
Still Life with Books and Pipe, is an oil on canvas by American realist painter John Frederick Peto, best known for his trompe l’oiel still life paintings of everyday items. It is estimated $18,000-22,000. Afternoon Chores/A Western Scene is an oil on canvas by William Hahn, estimated $20,000-25,000. Always popular are works by Laura Coombs Hills, and this sale includes Bowl of Flowers, a pastel on paper/board estimated $18,000-22,000. The Brook Cover is a watercolor with goache on paper by Boston artist Aiden Lassell Ripley, estimated $18,000-22,000.
A bronze sculpture with green patina by Harriet Frishmuth, entitled Thread of Life is estimated $10,000-15,000. Deaccessioned from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston is The Two Alices,
an oil on canvas by Adelaide Cole Chase, estimated $10,000-20,000.
Marine and coastal views include a harbor view by Robert Salmon, estimated $15,000-20,000, from a private collection in Ireland, plus works by George Loftus Noyes, estimated $8,000-12,000 and Emile Albert Gruppe, estimated $8,000-12,000. A view of Acadia National Park by Jonas Lie is estimated $10,000-15,000. Landscape pictures include a California view by Thomas Hill, estimated $6,000-$8,000, and a work by William Mason Brown, American Indians Gathering at a Woodland Clearing, estimated $15,000-25,000.
Two unique offerings include Quail and Woodcock, a painted wood carving on panel, estimated $8,000-12,000; and an oil lamp with an olive branch motif, unsigned, by New England artist Celia Laighton Thaxter, which descend through the family of the artist. It is estimated $7,000-9,000.
Additional Highlights
Additional selections include several fine modern works. Highlighted is Masked Woman, a gouache on paper/board by Cuban artist Cundo Bermúdez, estimated $15,000-$25,000. Cundo Bermudez was born in Cuba in 1914. Using flat figures and distorted planes, his colorful images depict aspects of everyday life. Described as vigorously original, Bermudez's art is exhibited in many notable galleries and museums including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The sale also features work by one of America’s first modernist painters, Konrad Cramer. Bouquet in White Vase is an oil on board is estimated $15,000-25,000. Also to be offered are Resting Cat, pen on paper by Andy Warhol, estimated $25,000-$35,000; an untitled abstract work, acrylic on canvas by Robert Natkin estimated $8,000-12,000; La Nuit, an oil on canvas by French artist Jean Souverbie, estimated $6,000-8,000; and Centrifuga, crayon with pencil on paper by Russian artist Luibov Popova, estimated $10,000-$15,000.
Previews and Catalogue Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15th; 12 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 16th; and 12 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17th. Illustrated catalogue #2340 is available by mail for $32 ($39 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $29. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’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 from all over the world 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, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site
www.skinnerinc.com.
