Bold Statements

Christie’s hosted a modernism focused American Art sale on November 18 that achieved six new auction records

For its November 18 auction, Christie’s announced a new format where they heavily focused on one segment of the American art market—modernism. It was held when the auction house hosted its more contemporary auctions with the goal of reaching clients with complementary interests. “We did see a lot of great engagement across categories with clients who collect postwar and contemporary art as well as some new clients,” says Christie’s American art specialist Paige Kestenman. “As a result, there was extraordinary interest and competitive bidding basically across the board.”Arthur G. Dove (1880-1946), Sunset, 1935. Oil on canvas, 24 x 33 in., signed lower center: ‘Dove’. Artist World Auction Record. Estimate: $2/3 million SOLD: $7,802,500

The auction achieved six new artist auction records and nearly half of the lots in the sale sold above their high presale estimates. The top lot of the day was a spectacular Arthur G. Dove painting titled Sunset (est. $2/3 million), which smashed expectations to set a record of over $7.8 million. “I think this Arthur Dove was certainly one of the strongest examples to ever come to market,” says Kestenman. “We had hoped it could set a new record, and we were not surprised when it became one of the most popular lots coming up to the sale.”Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975), Keith Farm, Chilmark, 1955. Oil on canvas, 21 x 29 in., signed and dated lower left: ‘Benton ’55’. Estimate: $2/3 million SOLD: $4,830,000

Among the five other auction records were Paul Cadmus’ Lloyd and Barbara Wescott (est. $300/500,000) at $2.43 million and Walt Kuhn’s Chico in a Silk Hat (est. $700/1,000,000) at $1.59 million. “They were auction records when they sold a decade or more ago, and when we sold them again [in this sale], it reset the artists’ markets,” Kestenman shares. “These are circumstances where the market then continues to grow.”

George Copeland Ault’s The Plough and the Moon (est. $120/180,000) set a record at $687,500. “It was very exciting to see,” Kestenman notes. “He’s an artist who crosses over between different genres of American art—magical realist, precisionist—so it was really great to see that work set a completely new record for him.”Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000), Builders—19 Men, 1979. Gouache and tempera on paper, 30 x 22 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘Jacob Lawrence ’79’. Estimate: $100/150,000 SOLD: $650,000

There were several works by Wolf Kahn in the sale, with Atlantic Highlands—being sold to benefit the St. Louis Art Museum’s acquisition fund—achieving an auction record for the artist at $212,500. Christie’s held the last record for Kahn with a work from its May 2021 sale of items from the artist’s estate. There has been a steady uptick in Kahn’s market over the past few years prior to his death in 2020. “He was quite prolific, and his works are so widely appealing because there are different styles for different audiences,” says Kestenman.George Copeland Ault (1891-1948), The Plough and the Moon, 1940. Oil on canvas, 22 x 30 in., signed and dated lower left: ‘‘G.C. Ault ’40.’ Artist World Auction Record. Estimate: $120/180,000 SOLD: $687,500

She adds that the market for works by Charles E. Burchfield continued to be strong, while a new record was set for Ida O’Keeffe with the work Roots (est. $4/6,000) at $13,750. Jacob Lawrence’s work on paper Builders—19 Men (est. $100/150,000) was a standout selling for over six times its low estimate at $650,000. Thomas Hart Benton’s Keith Farm, Chilmark, 1955, was also notable, achieving $4.83 million against an estimate of $2 million to $3 million. —

Top 10 Sales
Christie’s, American Art, November 18, 2021 (including buyer’s premium)
Artist Title Low/High Est. SOLD
Arthur G. Dove Sunset $2/3 million $7,802,500
Thomas Hart Benton Keith Farm, Chilmark $2/3 million $4,830,000
Paul Cadmus Lloyd and Barbara Wescott $300/500,000 $2,430,000
Edward Hopper Prospect Street, Gloucester $1.5/2.5 million $1,710,000
Walt Kuhn Chico in a Silk Hat $700/1,000,000 $1,590,000
Maxfield Parrish Dingleton Farm $600/800,000 $858,000
George Bellows Evening Blue (Tending the Lobster Traps, Early Morning) $800/1,200,000 $810,000
George Copeland Ault The Plough and the Moon $120/180,000 $687,500
Jacob Lawrence Builders—19 Men $100/150,000 $650,000
Stuart Davis Coast Town Landscape Study $400/600,000 $450,000