Wide Appeal

Bonhams boasted solid results across multiple categories for its November 18 American rt auction

On November 18 Bonhams hosted its American Art sale in New York City to buyers in the sales room, on the phone and bidding online. The auction achieved $4,364,354 for the day and a nearly 90 percent sell-through rate by value. “[The result shows me] it’s a healthy market and things are doing well,” says Bonhams American art specialist Morgan Martin. He adds that telephone bidding was busy, and quality continues to be a good driver of sales. There also was strength across categories including modernism, Hudson River School and magical realism.Milton Avery (1885-1965), Robed Nude, 1960. Oil on canvas, 68 1⁄8 x 58 1⁄8 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘Milton Avery 1960’. © 2021 The Milton Avery Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Estimate: $1/1.5 million SOLD: $1,110,313

The auction’s top lot was a Milton Avery figurative work titled Robed Nude (est. $1/1.5 million) that landed within estimate at $1,110,313. During the preview leading up to the sale, the work drew a lot of attention from potential buyers, with its size having a commanding presence. A Robert Henri portrait titled Chow Choy (est. $300/500,000) was the second highest earning lot of the sale with a sold price of $375,313.Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Trees in Meadow, 1951-56. Watercolor and pastel on paper, 25 x 33 in., signed with artist’s monogram and dated lower left: ‘CEB / 1951-56’. Estimate: $120/180,000 SOLD: $325,313

Charles E. Burchfield’s Trees in Meadow (est. $120/180,000) achieved more than double its low estimate when it sold for $325,313. “It’s a really phenomenal example by Burchfield done in what some consider his best period,” says Martin. He further explains that the work was completed from 1951 through 1956, showing the evolution of the painting and how Burchfield made edits over time. “You see the whites between the trees, and in the foreground around the flowers and over the black,” describes Martin. “He removed some of the darkness by putting white pastel on the top to make it lighter.”Robert Henri (1865-1929), Chow Choy, 1914. Oil on canvas, 32 x 26 in., signed lower left: ‘Robert Henri’; signed, inscribed, dated, titled and inscribed with artist’s notebook number verso: ‘La Jolla Calif.’, ‘1914’; inscribed with title twice on tacking edges. Estimate: $300/500,000 SOLD: $375,313

Henry Ossawa Tanner’s portrait A Jerusalem Type (est. $15/25,000) was one of the standouts at $137,813. “We knew it would do well simply because of how many bidders were on the phones,” says Martin. “He’s an important artist being revisited, and this was a really nice work. It was expected to do well, but [the price exceeded it].”Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), A Jerusalem Type, 1908. Oil on canvas, 18 1⁄8 x 15 1⁄8 in., signed lower left: ‘H O Tanner’; signed and inscribed verso: ‘To my friend / G.L. Berg / H.O. Tanner / March 15th 1909 / New York’. Estimate: $15/25,000 SOLD: $137,813

The Hudson River School segment was solid, including the Thomas Hill painting Picnic Near Mount Chocorua (est. $200/300,000), which sold for $250,313. The auction house has also seen an uptick in interest in works depicting the New England area—places such as Gloucester, Provincetown, Cape Cod and Cape May. American art at more approachable prices also is attracting new buyers, particularly younger buyers who see it as an entry point to collecting these works.

“We were up 25 percent [in registered bidders] from the same sale last year, and of those, approximately 30 new buyers accounted for almost $2 million worth of the hammer,” says Martin. “It’s a category known for more traditional buyers, and the fact that we’re attracting new buyers is very exciting.” —

Top 10 Sales
Bonhams, American Art, November 18, 2021 (including buyer’s premium)
Artist Title Low/High Est. SOLD
Milton Avery Robed Nude $1/1.5 million $1,110,313
Robert Henri Chow Choy $300/500,000 $375,313
Charles E. Burchfield Trees in Meadow $120/180,000 $325,313
Thomas Hill Picnic Near Mount Chocorua $200/300,000 $250,313
Henry Ossawa Tanner A Jerusalem Type $15/25,000 $137,813
Fairfield Porter Roses $100/150,000 $125,313
Elie Nadelman Seated Woman with Raised Arm (Circus Woman) $100/150,000 $112,813
Milton Avery The Rose $80/120,000 $106,563
Andrew Wyeth Brandywine in Winter $60/80,000 $100,313
Milton Avery Bird Over Sea $100/150,000 $100,313