On the Record

Swann Auction Galleries’ October African-American Fine Art sale resulted in record-breaking sales for numerous artists

Swann Auction Galleries’ most recent African-American Fine Art sale outdid itself, earning a spot among the ranks of Swann’s top four sales to date.

“We were very happy with the results,” says Nigel Freeman, Swann’s founder and director. “It was another strong sale and I think it shows the breadth of the collection that we had.”

It was quite the collection indeed—the October 8 sale featured 189 lots, resulting in an 89 percent sell-through rate by lot. While many of the bids were placed over the phone, Freeman says the auction room was still abuzz with plenty of in-person buyers. Romare Bearden (1911-1988), Girl in a Garden, 1972. Collage of various papers and printed fabrics, with ink and surface abrasion mounted on board, 22 x 14 in. Estimate: $100/$150,000 SOLD: $197,000

Works spanned from the 1920s to the early 2000s, garnering interest in a variety of eras and art styles.

“There’s been a lot of change in African American art—a lot of focus has been on more contemporary artists, but postmodern and first- and second- generation post-war artists—which we have a lot of—have also been doing quite well,” says Freeman. He adds that the sale “...shows the interest in still-growing artists and the potential of the market. We keep adding artists to our sales so the level was strong for a lot of different artists.”

Earning a new record was the auction’s top lot, Seated Woman by Elizabeth Catlett. The 1962 carved mahogany sculpture, estimated at $100,000 to $150,000, sold for $389,000—more than double its high-estimate.

“Catlett was especially deserving of a new record, and Seated Woman was the perfect work to do it, embodying all the wonderful qualities found in her wood sculpture,” says Freeman. Elizabeth Catlett (1915-2012), Seated Woman, 1962. Carved mahogany, 22½ x 13 x 7 in. Estimate: $100/150,000 SOLD: $389,000

Shortly after the sale, the Saint Louis Art Museum announced their acquisition of the work.

Among other artist records were Sargent Johnson’s Head of a Negro Boy (est. $80/120,000), which sold for $125,000; and Kenneth Victor Young’s largest piece to come to auction to date, Untitled (Abstract Composition). Estimated at $80,000 to $120,000, the Washington Color School artist’s work went for $233,000.

Several other works sold for six-figures, including At the Gates (Flight into Egypt) by Henry Ossawa Tanner (est. $100/150,000) which realized $341,000; Girl in a Garden by Romare Bearden (est. $100,000/150,000), which realized $197,000; Play at Dark (Westminster Street, Madison Park) (est. $75/100,000) by Allan Rohan Crite, which realized $197,000 and marked a new record for the artist; Richer Scene by Sam Gilliam (est. $35/50,000), which realized $161,000; William H. Johnson’s Jitterbugs II (est. $35/50,000), which realized $125,000; and an untitled oil and ink work from 1962 by Norman Lewis which was estimated at $60,000 to $90,000 and sold for $106,250. Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), At the Gates (Flight into Egypt), ca. 1926-27. Oil on panel, 24 x 19 in. Estimate: $100/150,000 SOLD: $341,000

“Another trend was the rising popularity and value of the paintings of Hughie Lee-Smith and Walter Williams—two significant mid-century painters Swann has specialized in,” says Freeman. Lee-Smith’s work featured a variety of mediums including a 1952 oil on board titled Landscape with Figure, which sold for $75,000; a 1986 oil on canvas titled Prelude, which realized $55,000; and Les Poseurs, a watercolor from 1994 that sold for $43,750. Several more works from the 1990s and early 2000s by artists such as Robert Colescott, Sam Gilliam and McArthur Binion had a successful auction day.

“It was nice to see new artists make a splash as well as artists we have a long-standing history with continue to grow in value,” says Freeman.
“I think it was a great success so we’re very pleased.” —

Top 10 Sales

Swann Auction Galleries, African-American Fine Art, October 8, 2019 (including buyer’s Premium)
Artist, Title, Low/High ESt., SOLD

Elizabeth Catlett, Seated Woman, $100/150,000, $389,000
Henry Ossawa Tanner, At the Gates (Flight into Egypt), $100/150,000, $341,000
Kenneth Victor Young, Untitled (Abstract Composition), $80/120,000, $233,000
Romare Bearden, Girl in a Garden, $100/150,000, $197,000
Allan Rohan Crite, Play at Dark (Westminster Street, Madison Park), $75/100,000, $185,000
Sam Gilliam, Richer Scene, $35/50,000, $161,000
Sargent Johnson, Head of a Negro Boy, $80/120,000, $125,000
William H. Johnson, Jitterbugs II. $35/50,000, $125,000
Norman Lewis. Untitled, $60/90,000, $106,250
Hale Woodruff, Landscape No. 2. $75/100,000. $87,500