The field of American art is diverse and intriguing, and in Bonhams’ American Art sale on November 18, collectors will be treated to paintings and sculpture that encompass many of its prime periods. The firm’s American art specialist Morgan Martin shares, “I’m really thrilled to say it’s a very good representation of American art from about 1850 to 1960. And to get this great variety of property that encompasses so much of American art is rare in my experience. We have 120 lots of phenomenal property, a lot of which are fresh to the market. We have great private collections, and it’ll look very cohesive and visually tell the story of American art.”Robert Henri (1865-1929), Chow Choy, 1914. Oil on canvas, 32 x 26 in., signed lower left: ‘Robert Henri’; signed again verso; inscribed verso: ‘La Jolla Calif’; dated verso: ‘1914’’ titled and inscribed with artist’s notebook number verso; inscribed with title twice on tacking edges. Estimate: $300/500,000

One of the stars of the auction is the 1914 portrait Chow Choy by Robert Henri from his first trip to California. The work, estimated to sell between $300,000 and $500,000, is a rarity for the artist because of its beautiful, bright palette showing the joy of his young sitter. “I always feel when I look at a Henri that he captures the essence, and here he’s captured this lovely, bright young girl. She’s probably 10 or 12 years old,” says Martin. “She’s full of life and vigor and is in this beautiful blue dress and there are light yellows. Henri does many dark backgrounds, but this just exudes warmth. That’s somewhat atypical for Henri as he’s an Ashcan School painter.”Milton Avery (1885-1965), Robed Nude, 1960. Oil on canvas, 681/8 x 581/8 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘Milton Avery 1960’. Estimate: $1/1.5 million

Fairfield Porter (1907-1975), Roses, 1967. Oil on canvas, 175/8 x 141/8 in., signed and dated lower left: ‘Fairfield Porter 67’; signed and dated again and inscribed with title on stretcher. Estimate: $100/150,000

Three works by Milton Avery will cross the block during the sale including the large-scale Robed Nude, from 1960, which will grace the cover of the auction catalog. The painting is estimated to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million and is the major highlight of the day. According to Martin, the work is from Avery’s most desirable period. The second standout, Bird Over Sea (est. $100/150,000), was painted just a year later in 1961. “If you ask me, he did his best work in the last 10 years of his life,” says Martin. “That’s when he’s pushing the envelope of what he was capable of. [Bird Over Sea] is a phenomenal example. It gives you a lot of things you want from his work.” The third item coming to auction by the artist is a still life.Milton Avery (1885-1965), Bird Over Sea, 1961. Oil on canvasboard, 28 x 221/8 in., signed and dated lower left: ‘Milton Avery 1961’. Estimate: $100/150,000  

Theodore Earl Butler (1861-1936), New York Harbor, 1917. Oil on canvas, 31½ x 44 in., signed and dated lower left: ‘T.E. Butler 1917’. Estimate: $30/50,000

Along with the modernist works by Avery, a 1967 still life titled Roses by Fairfield Porter is another great example of the period. “Porter was one of those artists, much like Avery, whose best works were done in the last 10 years of his life. Those are the most sought-after, and he was just unafraid and painted what he wanted to paint. It really showed that when the passion is there, the works can be amazing,” Martin describes. “[Roses] is a fabulous example and one of the best still lifes I’ve seen from him, with the handling of the paint and brushstrokes.” The painting has a presale estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.John Henry Twachtman (1853-1902), Road Scene, Cincinnati, 1878. Oil on canvas, 13½ x 23¾ in., signed and dated lower left: ‘J.H. Twachtman. Cin. 78’. Estimate: $40/60,000

A painting by Theodore Earl Butler, New York Harbor, 1917, which is expected to sell between $30,000 and $50,000, comes from a private Texas collection. The large work, measuring 31 by 44 inches, could almost be seen as a “study in the color blue of New York City harbor and skyline,” Martin says. “It’s so inviting. It’s very impressionistic, and the handling of the painting is lovely.” John Henry Twachtman’s Road Scene, Cincinnati (est. $40/60,000) comes from the Sam and Diane Stewart Collection, while a Herbert Haseltine work, Percheron Mare: Messaline and Foal, has an estimate of $70,000 to $100,000.Herbert Haseltine (1877-1962), Percheron Mare: Messaline and Foal, modeled ca. 1922-24. Parcel-gilt bronze with verdigris patina, 9¾ in. on 21/8 in. black marble base. Estimate: $70/100,000

In the sale collectors can also expect to find a Thomas Moran Venetian scene, a 1943 painting of the Brandywine in winter by Andrew Wyeth, a 1950s Charles E. Burchfield, and a painting of the 1893 America’s Cup race by James E. Buttersworth. —

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