Back-to-back Christie’s sales on January 19 in New York City saw incredible results for American artists across several categories. The double-header sales were 19th Century American Art and From Peale to Peto: American Masters from the Pollack Collection. Both sales had sell-through rates higher than 92 percent.
Martin Johnson Heade (1819-1904), Fighting Hummingbirds with Pink Orchid, ca. 1875-90. Oil on canvas, 16¼ x 14 in. Estimate: $400/600,000 SOLD: $945,000
Many of the top highlights came from the 19th-century sale, including the top overall lot: Martin Johnson Heade’s Fighting Hummingbirds with Pink Orchid, which was estimated at $400,000 to $600,000. Bidding shot well past those estimates and finally closed at $945,000. The work was small, measuring just 16.25 by 14 inches—it sold for more than $4,100 per square inch.
Frederic Remington (1861-1909), Broncho Buster, 1900. Bronze with brown patina, 24 in. Estimate: $250/350,000 SOLD: $478,800
Another top lot was John George Brown’s A Thrilling Moment, a playful fishing scene with eight children. It sold for $819,000, nearly triple its high estimate of $300,000.
Western painter and sculptor Frederic Remington had two major bronzes sell well over estimates: Broncho Buster (est. $250/350,000) sold for $478,800 and The Rattlesnake (est. $150/250,000) sold for $390,600. Both bronzes were low cast numbers, and Broncho Buster was even a lifetime cast.
John George Brown (1831-1913), A Thrilling Moment, 1880. Oil on canvas, 24 x 40 in. Estimate: $200/300,000 SOLD: $819,000
Landscape images also performed strongly, including pieces by Winslow Homer, James McNeill Whistler, Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt and many others.
From Peale to Peto: American Masters from the Pollack Collection featured a mixture of still lifes, portraiture, maritime paintings and landscapes.
James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), Howth Head, Near Dublin, 1900. Oil on panel, 7¼ x 10⁵/8 in. Estimate: $200/300,000 SOLD: $239,400
“We were thrilled to see two sales of rare and important works, fresh to the market, and carrying thoughtful estimates, produce such strong results,” says Tylee Abbott, the head of American art at Christie’s. “There was intense interest throughout the day, with many longstanding collectors taking part, as well as institutions, and an influx of new collectors many of whom participated via the Internet. Christie’s is proud to have achieved a number of record prices including a record for the first professional woman artist in America, Sarah Miriam Peale; a record for Titian Ramsey Peale; and a record for John George Brown’s masterpiece A Thrilling Moment.”
Top 10 LOTS
19th century american art/from peale to plato january 19, 2023 Auction (including Buyer’s Premium)
Artist • Title • Low/High Est. • SOLD
Martin Johnson Heade • Fighting Hummingbirds… • $400/600,000 • $945,000
John George Brown • A Thrilling Moment • $200/300,000 • $819,000
Frederic Remington • Broncho Buster • $250/350,000 • $478,800
Frederic Remington • The Rattlesnake • $150/250,000 • $390,600
Winslow Homer • Fallen Tree with Minks • $200/300,000 • $277,200
James McNeill Whistler • Howth Head, Near Dublin • $200/300,000 • $239,400
Thomas Moran • Venice, Sunset behind Santa Maria • $150/250,000 • $214,200
William J. McCloskey • Oranges in Tissue Paper • $120/180,000 • $189,000
William Bradford • Locked in the Ice—Waiting it Out • $70/100,000 • $189,000
William Holbrook Beard • Bears Picnic • $20/30,000 • $151,200
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