Joint Auction Preview

New York, Plymouth

Charles Peale Polk (1767-1822), George Washington. Oil on canvas, 30 x 23 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘CP Polk/Pinx/1793’. Courtesy Christies. Estimate: $200/400,000

New York, NY
Christie’s
January 19

From Peale to Peto: American Masters from the Pollack Collection

A collection of 19th-century American art, carefully assembled over two decades, will be auctioned off during Christie’s upcoming From Peale to Peto: American Masters from the Pollack Collection sale. Artwork in the January 19 sale comprise some of the brightest names in American still life and portraiture, with highlights including William Michael Harnett’s Still Life with Lobster, Fruit, Champagne and Newspaper (est. $100/150,000), alongside prominent works by John Frederick Peto and John Francis. The collection also features multiple examples from the Peale family of artists, including an important Charles Peale Polk portrait of George Washington and still lifes by Raphaelle Peale, James Peale, Sarah Miriam Peale and Titian Ramsay Peale. In addition, the sale will have portraiture by John Singleton Copley and Thomas Sully, as well as maritime paintings by Fitz Henry Lane and James Edward Buttersworth. Copley’s Mrs. Samuel Watts (Sarah Woodbury (Osborn) Oxnard Watts) has a presale estimate of $150,000 to $100,000, while Polk’s George Washington is expected to fetch $200,000 to $400,000.

Plymouth, MA
Copley Fine Art Auctions
February 24-25
Winter Sale

Bob Kuhn (1920-2007), Rams Along Rock Ridge. Acrylic on board, 12 by 18 in. Courtesy Copley Fine Art Auctions. Estimate: $75/95,000

This February, Copley Fine Art Auctions holds its annual Winter Sale. Made up of a massive 657 lots, the sale consists of 19th- and 20th-century American, sporting and wildlife art across a range of mediums including paintings, etchings, antique decoys, bird carvings and bronzes.

Among the fine art offerings are two major acrylic works by one of the world’s most important wildlife artists, Bob Kuhn (1920-2007). Rams Along Rock Ridge (est. $75/95,000) is a dramatic rendering of three rams looking outward from their pole position high upon a rocky cliff, and Close But No Cigar (est. $70/80,000) which depicts a running lynx in pursuit of a flying grouse in a snowy, winter landscape. Percival Rosseau’s oil of two dogs on the hunt, Pair of Aces, is estimated to bring in $30,000 to $50,000. In addition, Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait’s On the Qui Vive! is an important oil to be on the lookout for.

The auction will be livestreamed and will utilize phone, absentee and internet bidding on three different online platforms: Bidsquare, Live Auctioneers and CopleyLive. The auction begins at 10 a.m. both days.