Blooms for Books

Support the Boston Public Library and get a glimpse of spring in the middle of winter at the upcoming Skinner Prints and Paintings Auction

Blooms for Books | Auction to Support the Boston Public Library

This lovely arrangement interprets an 18th/19th century portrait of a gentlewoman as Diana, Goddess of the Hunt (Lot 310 in the February 3, 2012 Paintings auction)

Several months ago, Skinner art appraiser Kathy Wong agreed to arrange all of the flowers for a friend’s wedding. I know you’re wondering what this has to do with antiques and auctions, but just stay with me for a minute. The friend happens to be a Skinner colleague, so this past fall we have all enjoyed watching the process as Kathy brought in ideas to show to the bride-to-be: designs for table arrangements, bouquets, boutonnières, and more.

It turns out that, in addition to being a great art historian, Kathy has a fantastic eye for color and design.

Now, Kathy is putting her design talents to work for the sake of art and a terrific cause. In conjunction with the February 3rd Prints and Paintings auction in Boston, Kathy will interpret several of the lots presented as flower arrangements. Have you ever seen the Museum of Fine Art’s Art in Bloom or the Worcester Art Museum’s Flora in Winter? Our presentation will be similar, but we are adding a slight twist. The arrangements will be sold during the Paintings & Prints auction to raise money for the Boston Public Library’s Fine Arts Library in the historic McKim building in Copley Square.

Attend our Fine Art Gallery walk on February 2nd to view the art-inspired bouquets.

The BPL’s Fine Arts Library is a tremendous resource open to all, and as art appraisers, we use the library constantly in our research. The librarians are extremely knowledgeable, and work under difficult conditions – anyone who has gone in there to do research on a hot July day knows exactly what I’m talking about! Given the number of books I request in the course of a single visit, I can’t imagine that they are ever thrilled to see me, and yet they are always welcoming and considerate. It is one of our favorite places to work, and yet it is a place desperate for an upgrade. We realize that the amount we raise for them will only be a drop in the bucket, but it is our very small way of saying thank you.

Plus, won’t it be nice to come to the Paintings & Prints auction preview and see all the fresh, colorful flower arrangements? There’s nothing like a little bit of spring in the middle of winter!

The preview will be open to the public on Wednesday, February 1st, 12 to 5 pm; Thursday, February 2nd, 12 to 8 pm; and Friday, February 3, 9 to 10:30 am at Skinner’s Boston auction gallery. The auction begins at noon on Friday, February 3rd. We hope to see you there!

8 thoughts on “Blooms for Books

  1. My Mother died two years ago and left me with a oil painting, by my great grampa
    for his wife my great grandmother. Can I send you a picture of it? It was done in Chelsea in the early 1920 or 22. On the back is a paper saying what it was. At this time granp’s nephew had come over from Italy, his name was John law-la. They told me
    that he was an artist and had finished the school of art in Italy. He was supposed to have done some pictures for Barnum an Baily circus. I believe he did the work for my great grandfather, and he told my grandmother he did it. It was not signed, but the paper was the confirmation?

    • I am sorry to hear about your loss, but, yes, please feel free to send images of the painting – I would love to take a look. You can send them through the Skinner website or via paintings@skinnerinc.com. I’ll look forward to seeing them!

  2. My Mother died two years ago and left me with a oil painting, by my great grampa
    for his wife my great grandmother. Can I send you a picture of it? It was done in Chelsea in the early 1920 or 22. On the back is a paper saying what it was. At this time granp’s nephew had come over from Italy, his name was John law-la. They told me
    that he was an artist and had finished the school of art in Italy. He was supposed to have done some pictures for Barnum an Baily circus. I believe he did the work for my great grandfather, and he told my grandmother he did it. It was not signed, but the paper was the confirmation?

    • I am sorry to hear about your loss, but, yes, please feel free to send images of the painting – I would love to take a look. You can send them through the Skinner website or via paintings@skinnerinc.com. I’ll look forward to seeing them!

  3. Thanks for your support, I will sent the four pictures, The picture
    is of a path to where Logan Airport is now.
    The man that is depicted in these paintings was of a Italian man,
    on his cart with his horse going to gather some sea weed to
    sell it to the different restaurants
    or to Hotels in Boston.

  4. hi Robin,
    I just picked up the painting this am, and it is already hanging in my living room. Diana is beautiful and i feel so lucky to have her! I promise to take good care of her and give her a wonderful home! I was also wondering if you had any idea who may have painted this painting and where it is from?? Even if it is just an educated guess, I would really like to know more about this fabulous painting….

    Thank you!
    Patty Pederson

    • I’m so glad that you’re pleased. The work is in the style of the Rococo, but comes from very late in the period (late 18th century) or, more probably, after the popularity of that style had given way to Romanticism in the early 19th century. The style is utterly French, but unfortunately I do not have a specific artist to attribute it to. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy your painting for many years to come!

      All the best,
      Robin

  5. hi Robin,
    I just picked up the painting this am, and it is already hanging in my living room. Diana is beautiful and i feel so lucky to have her! I promise to take good care of her and give her a wonderful home! I was also wondering if you had any idea who may have painted this painting and where it is from?? Even if it is just an educated guess, I would really like to know more about this fabulous painting….

    Thank you!
    Patty Pederson

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