Nicolai Fechin is one of the most distinguished portraitists of the 20th century. During Hindman’s September 27 American and European Art auction, a stunning work measuring over 40 inches in height, will hit the market. The piece, Study of a Woman (Portrait of Elena Konstantinovna Luksch-Makowsky, is a great early work by the artist likely painted while he still lived in Russia and is thought to depict Elena Konstantinovna Luksch-Makowsky, the daughter of painter Konstantin Makovsky.Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955), Study of a Woman (Portrait of Elena Konstantinovna Luksch-Makowsky), ca. 1906-08. Oil on canvas, 41½ x 28 in., signed upper right: ‘N. Fechin’.  Estimate: $600/800,000“It’s a bit rarer, and I think it will appeal to a slightly more international audience than the work he was doing out in New Mexico,” says Joseph Stanfield, director of fine art at Hindman. The painting, which is the star of the day’s sale, is expected to sell between $600,000 and $800,000.

Along with the Fechin, the American and European Art auction will have around 120 lots available, with about half being American art. “[This segment has] a pretty good mix of material. Since we are in Chicago, we have Midwestern regionalist material that other houses aren’t going to see as much of, but it’s a varied grouping,” says Stanfield. “It ranges from late 19th century all the way through to almost today.”Ivan Albright (1897-1983), Troubled Waves (Silence), 1952. Oil on canvas, 15 x 10¼ in., signed and dated lower right: ‘Ivan Albright’; signed lower left. Estimate: $30/50,000Dale Nichols (1904-1995), Early Risers, 1949. Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘Dale Nichols’; titled verso. Estimate: $20/30,000

A standout in the regionalist category is Ivan Albright’s Troubled Waves (Silence), 1952, which has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. Albright is recognized in Chicago because of his Picture of Dorian Gray, which resides in the Art Institute of Chicago along with many of his other works. “There just aren’t that many pieces available for sale…[because] that’s basically where his entire estate went,” Stanfield shares. “This is the first oil on canvas that’s representative of his work that I think I’ve ever seen come up for auction. It’s a rare opportunity for collector of his work, because we don’t know when the next one is going to be available. The painting is coming from a Chicagoland area collector whose parents were friends with Ivan Albright and received the work directly from him.”Mitchell Siporin (1910-1976), End of an Era, 1946. Oil on canvas, 52 x 40 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘Mitchell Siporin’. Estimate: $15/25,000

Mitchell Siporin’s End of an Era (est. $15/25,000) is also noteworthy, as it has been in a number of museum exhibitions over the years. The work has been in private hands for decades, and Stanfield considers it to be one of the most important by the artist to arrive at auction. There also will be a selection of seven paintings by artist Wolf Kahn, who passed away last year. Dale Nichols is represented by two works, including Early Risers, a 1949 painting estimated to sell between $20,000 and $30,000.

The sale will begin at 10 a.m. local time, with bidders being able to participate by phone, online and by absentee. Private previews are available at the Chicago office by appointment. —

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