May/June 2021 Edition

Auctions
 

New and Notable

Freeman’s American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists sale includes important artwork across all collecting categories

June 6, 2 p.m.

Freeman's
2400 Market Street
t: (215) 563.9275
e: Email Gallery
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On June 6, Freeman’s will host its next American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists auction with approximately 100 items hitting the block. The sale includes fresh to the market materials by some of the biggest names in American art—Daniel Garber, Edward Willis Redfield, Norman Rockwell and James Abbott McNeill Whistler, to share a few.Daniel Garber (1880–1958), Houses – Shannonville, ca. 1923-24. Oil on canvas, 29½ x 27½ in., signed bottom center: ‘Daniel Garber’; signed and titled multiple times on label and stretcher verso. Estimate: $150/250,000

Pennsylvania Impressionism is always strong for the auction house, with its location in Philadelphia. Works by Garber have been featured prominently in the firm’s most recent sales, including eight in the last auction alone and 40 total pieces over the past five years. In this auction they will bring to market the painting Houses – Shannonville from a collector in the Midwest. The painting is expected to sell between $150,000 and $250,000.Norman Rockwell (1894–1978), Cozy Rest Motel, ca. 1950. Oil and pencil on canvas, 18 x 17 in., signed bottom right: ‘Norman/Rockwell’. Estimate: $100/150,000

“Garber used to be the one that was really tough to get art by because he didn’t produce as many as the other artists, such as Redfield, for example,” says Alasdair Nichol, chairman and director of fine art at Freeman’s. “We are pleased that we seem to have cornered the market.”

Redfield is also represented in the auction by the work Island Farm (The Artist’s House), which comes through a client in New York. “It depicts Redfield’s first house in Bucks County. He stayed there for a few years and he painted it several times,” says Nichol. The painting has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.Edward Willis Redfield (1869–1965), Island Farm (The Artist’s House), ca. 1910. Oil on canvas, 28 x 32 in., signed bottom right: ‘E W REDFIELD’; signed and titled upper stretcher verso. Estimate: $100/150,000

Rae Sloan Bredin (1881–1933), The Carroll Price Farm (Solebury Township), ca. 1910-14. Oil on canvas, 25 x 30 in., signed bottom right: ‘R.S. Bredin;; signed and titled verso: ‘The Farm’. Estimate: $30/50,000

Other highlights from the category are Fern Isabel Coppedge’s Lumberville House in Winter (est. $40/60,000) and Rae Sloan Bredin’s The Carroll Price Farm (Solebury Township) (est. $30/50,000). The Bredin, which comes in its original Frederick Harer frame, has strong provenance having recently been on view in the 2018 Michener Art Museum exhibition on the artist.

Fern Isabel Coppedge (1883–1951), Lumberville House in Winter. Oil on canvas, 18 x 20 in., signed bottom right: ‘Fern I Coppedge’. Estimate: $40/60,000


A never-before-seen painting by Rockwell titled Cozy Rest Motel is also a standout in the sale. The work, which has a presale estimate of $100,000 to $150,000, was gifted by the artist from his studio in Maine to the father of the present owner. “It was intended for a Post cover, but ultimately used in an Artists School event,” says Nichol. He adds, “It has not been seen around, but there were sketches and drawings that relate to it that came up at auction. It has the lovely little details with the props and the croquet mallets and the colorful flags—all of those elements you want to see in a Rockwell.”

Boris Lovet-Lorski (1894–1973), Diana. Bronze with brown patina. 26 in., signed and foundry stamp at base: ‘BORIS-LOVET-LORSKI-’, ‘GRANDHOMME-ANDRO/Fondeurs. Paris.’ Estimate: $60/100,000

Another work with a summertime feel is Martha Walter’s A Day at the Beach (est. $25/45,000), from circa 1920. The painting is the epitome of what collectors usually look for from the artist, as well as having her hallmark colors and characters. Boris Lovett-Lorski’s bronze Diana (est. $60/100,000) is a striking tabletop work that is likely to have crossover appeal. “It’s the kind of thing that one would see in one of our modern design sales,” Nichol explains. “It has that crossover appear, and it will appeal to a lot of the art deco buyers.”James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903), The Courtyard, Brussels, 1887. Etching on cream laid paper, 8½ x 47/8 in. Pencil signed with butterfly and inscribed on tab bottom left: ‘imp’; AS Patria watermark. Estimate: $20/30,000

Martha Walter (1875–1976), A Day at the Beach, ca. 1920. Oil on gessoed board laid down to panel, 14 x 177/8 in., signed bottom left: ‘Martha Walter’. Estimate: $25/45,000

Usually kicking off the auction are graphic pieces, and one standout from those items its Whistler’s etching on cream laid paper, titled The Courtyard, Brussels. “It’s only appeared at auction once before, and it’s a scarce print,” Nichol shares, adding that several other known examples are in museum collections. He continues, “This is a really nice example and importantly it has the butterfly on the tab, so that makes the difference.”

The American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists sale will kick off at 2 p.m. in Philadelphia. Visit the auction website for complete details on how to participate. —

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