Following the success of their February sale, John Moran Auctioneers is pleased to once again offer an excellent opportunity to acquire pre-1960 California and American fine art. The second of their signature Art Auctions for 2010 is scheduled for June 15th and features another fine selection of over 200 lots of Impressionist landscapes, still lifes, and historical subjects, as well as California Style works, at every price level from $1000 up.
Moran’s has been a major force in sales of California Impressionists since the 1970’s, driving the market for many of the top artists in that area of collecting: Franz Bischoff, Maurice Braun, Granville Redmond, Thomas Hunt, Alfred Mitchell, Hanson Puthuff, and Paul Lauritz to name a few. All of those artists will be represented in the June sale, along with the “Dean of Southern California Artists”, William Wendt (1865 – 1946). A landscape with river and trees by Wendt, from the estate of his good friend and fellow artist Gardner Symons and reputedly acquired in a trade between the two, is expected to realize $30,000 – 40,000.
Fresh from another private collection is a quiet but lyrical landscape by Emil Carlsen (1848 – 1932), painted in soft harmonies of grey, beige and blue reflecting the Northern California Tonalist aesthetic of the early 20th century. Though initially known for his dark still life compositions inspired by the 17th century Dutch and Spanish masters and the French artist Chardin, Carlsen later produced Impressionist style landscapes in a lighter, though muted, palette which he employed with virtuosic effect, as in this large work. Moran’s is offering the oil with an estimate of $40,000 – 60,000.
The supreme floral painter of his day, the enduringly popular Paul De Longpre (1855 – 1911), is represented in the sale by an exquisite watercolor composition of pink LaFrance roses and bumblebees. Since the days when crowds of tourists thronged his ornate Hollywood mansion and lush gardens, the meticulously lifelike work of the French-born “King of Flowers” has demonstrated irresistible appeal nationwide. Featuring all the desirable qualities of de Longpre’s best work, and carrying a conservative estimate of $10,000 – 15,000, this painting is expected to demonstrate that appeal yet again.
Marine master Joe Duncan Gleason (1881 – 1959) has also long found an enthusiastic audience at John Moran Auctioneers, which has established most of his top auction records including the world record of $161,000 for the sale of “Avalon (Catalina Harbor)” in 2007. Moran’s February sale will include two gems by Gleason. One of his highly sought-after depictions of historical vessels, “Their Last Port (Schooners: W.F. Burrows, Henry Wilson, Bark: W. B. Flint)”, an oil measuring 30 x 34 inches, is estimated to bring $20,000 – 30,000. The other oil is one of Gleason’s endearing images of children, for which he often used his own daughters as models. The painting of a young girl on a beach (estimate: $15,000 – 20,000) is a particularly charming example, and arrives at auction through descent from the Gleason family.
Another work comes to the auction from a collector of items relating to California history. The scene of California placer miners sluicing for gold near a camp was painted in 1854 at the height of the Gold Rush. Signed “W.F. Chadwick” (believed to be William F. Chadwick, active late 19th century), the oil is expected to draw a great deal of interest, despite the obscurity of the artist, because of the rarity of contemporary records of this pivotal moment in American history. It is expected to bring $3000 – 4000, but may well exceed that figure as the auction unfolds.
Two oil-and-gold leaf works by Jessie Arms Botke (1883 – 1971), wonderful examples of her well-known exotic bird subjects, were consigned to Moran’s after spending years in storage, forgotten but well preserved. Recently discovered, they were brought into one of Moran’s walk-in Valuation Days, an appraisal clinic held once a month at their offices in Southern California, where they were immediately recognized as treasures. They are estimated to realize $10,000 – 15,000 each.
Highlights from the carefully selected group of California Style artists include an elaborate Millard Sheets (1907 – 1989) watercolor, a tropical scene with figures titled “Church in Maurea” (estimate: $20,000 – 30,000), and a bold, highly textured oil painted in the 1930’s by Phil Dike (1906 – 1990), “Drying Peppers, San Fernando Valley” (estimate: $20,000 – 25,000). Bidders will also find works by Milford Zornes, Jade Fon Woo, and Jake Lee.
Among the East Coast and Midwest artists represented in the sale are Walter Baum (with two works), Albert Wenzell, Edward Potthast, Birger Sandzen, and Alfred Bricher. An autumn landscape by Ernest Lawson (1873 – 1939) depicting dense foliage in rich shades of orange, red and gold is expected to bring $15,000 – 20,000.
In addition to these highlights, many other quality artworks will be offered. For a full catalogue please view the John Moran Auctioneers website at www.johnmoran.com.
The sale will begin promptly at 6:30pm on Tuesday, June 15th at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA. Previewing will begin at 12 noon. Bidding for this sale is available from the floor, by phone and absentee as well as online via ArtFact.com. For more information on this sale, or to order a printed catalogue, please call the offices of John Moran Auctioneers at (626) 793-1833 or visit their website at www.johnmoran.com
