A wide range of important fine art from every corner of the country—Thomas Moran in East Hampton, Wolf Kahn in Vermont, Julian Onderdonk in Texas, to name a few—was represented in the sale. Works by artists William Trost Richards, Emanuel Leutze, Norton Bush, Granville Redmond, John F. Kensett, William Keith, Elihu Vedder, William Harnett were on offer as well as Native American pottery, parfleches, katsinam and baskets; antique Southern and New England furniture; and decorative and folk arts.

The top lot of the sale was the 1916 painting Sunlight & Blue Bonnets, San Antonio, Texas, by Julian Onderdonk (1882-1922), often referred to as “the father of Texas painting.” 

The impressionistic landscape realized $147,600, soaring over its estimated value of $40,000 to $60,000.

Brunk Auctions is currently accepting consignments for its biannual American & Southern sale on September 17.

Anna Mary Robertson Moses (Grandma Moses) (1860-1961), Belvedere, 1944. Oil on Masonite, 23 x 30 in.  Estimate: $40/60,000 SOLD: $55,250

Monrovia, CA
John Moran Auctioneers
May 7
California & American Fine Art
$718,224

On May 7, John Moran Auctioneers presented their bi-annual California and American Fine Art auction featuring 140 works by noted artists including Alson Clark, Maurice Braun, Elmer Wachtel, Hanson Puthuff, Armin Hansen, Angel Espoy, Mischa Askenazy, Phil Dike and Emile Gruppe. Post-sale highlights were led by Jessie Arms Botke, Eyvind Earle, Franz A. Bischoff, Charles Rollo Peters, Marguerite Stuber Pearson, Jane Peterson and five works by Edgar Payne (1883-1947).

The sale included multiple works by Payne, one of the United States’ preeminent impressionist painters, and collectors responded in kind. Leading the sale was Payne’s Riding Near Canyon De Chelly, which crested its low estimate to achieve $76,200.

William Merritt Chase (1849-1916), Portrait of Caroline Allport, 1897. Oil on canvas, 24¼ x 20 in. SOLD: $118,750

Boston, MA
Grogan & Company
May 4
Fine Art Auction
$1.6 million

Gogan & Company’s Fine Art Auction saw a 90 percent sell-through rate with nearly half of the lots selling above their estimated values, bringing in $1.6 million in total. Classic American paintings and a robust selection of works by female artists were in high demand, and elicited healthy bidding. A Frank Swift Chase (1886-1958) oil titled Nantucket from Monomoy, saw bidders online, over the phone and in-person competing to add this work to their collection. The painting ultimately sold for $31,250.

One unexpected stand-out piece from the sale was an Edward Darley Boit (1840-1915) watercolor scene of St. Mark’s Square in Venice that brought $31,250, far exceeding its presale estimate of $1,500 to 2,500.

Additionally, Anna Mary Robertson Moses’ (Grandma Moses) work, Belvedere, had lively action in the gallery and online, resulting in a sold price of $55,250. A selection of works set in Maine and New England soared beyond their estimates, underscoring Grogan & Company’s strength within the market for works by historic New England artists.

Grogan & Co. is currently seeking fine art and jewelry consignments for their fall auction season, scheduled for November 2 to 3, 2024.

Edgar Alwin Payne (1883-1947), Riding near Canyon de Chelly. Oil on canvas, 20 x 24 in. Estimate: $70/90,000 SOLD: $76,200

Milford, CT
Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers
May 2
Spring Auction
$2.5 million

American impressionism led strong results in Shannon’s May 2 Spring Auction. The 205-lot sale grossed $2.5 million and was over 80 percent sold. The top was Portrait of Caroline Allport from 1897 by William Merritt Chase. The portrait sold for $118,750 to a private collection. Another highlight was the sale of Frederick Carl Frieske’s (1874-1939) Dressing, an impressionistic depiction of a woman tying her shoe, for $112,500.

Paintings by women artists were prominently featured in the auction—White Peacocks and Blue Delphinium by Jessie Arms Botke sold for $63,500; an Ashcan sculpture by Abastenia St. Leger Eberle, Hurdy Gurdy, sold for $23,750; and a Jane Peterson painting of Toucans sold for $22,500.

For the full results and more information visit shannons.com. Shannon’s will host another fine art auction on October 25 and is welcoming consignments. 

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