Held twice a year, American Art Within Reach celebrates the rich tapestry of American fine art with works by noteworthy artists estimated under $10,000. The April 4 auction—which includes paintings, drawings and sculpture from the early 1800s to present day—brings the accessibility of historic fine art to a wider audience. From traditional landscapes and colorful impressionist views to lively examples of early modernism, regionalism and abstraction, bidders can vie for an expansive range of works by artists like Grant Wood, James Fetherolf, George Gardner Symons, Charles Bell and many more.
Frederick Judd Waugh (1861-1940), Dawn in the East. Oil on canvasboard, 25 x 30 in., signed lower right: ‘Waugh’, titled on the reverse: ‘Dawn in the East’. Estimate: $5/7,000
Among the highlights in the upcoming sale is marine artist Frederick Judd Waugh’s ocean scene Dawn in the East, depicting white waves crashing over a rocky shoreline. The oil painting is estimated to bring in between $5,000 and $7,000. “Frederick Judd Waugh was celebrated for his powerful seascape paintings. While he spent much of his career on the East Coast, his time in California deeply influenced his work,” says Alissa Ford, Heritage’s vice president of American & Western Art. “The rugged beauty of the Pacific coastline offered him new inspiration, with its dramatic cliffs, vast horizons and powerful waves. Waugh’s ability to capture the energy of the ocean was enhanced by California’s unique light and atmosphere, which added warmth and vibrancy to his palette. These experiences broadened his artistic vision, solidifying his reputation as a master of marine art and a keen observer of nature’s majesty.”
John Chumley (1928-1984), Shenandoah Valley Farm. Watercolor on board, 22 x 28 in., signed lower right: ‘Chumley’. Estimate: $3/5,000
Another lot to be on the lookout for is Headlights at Dawn (est. $700/1,000) by Los Angeles-based artist Charles Bell, who was primarily active in the 1930s. “Charles Bell’s Headlights at Dawn is a striking depiction of an early morning urban landscape, where the interplay of artificial and natural light creates a moody, cinematic atmosphere,” notes Ethan Diner, American art specialist at Heritage Auctions. “The composition centers on an empty intersection illuminated by the glow of a car’s headlights, casting long streaks of light onto the pavement…Bell’s use of deep shadows and subtle tonal variations captures the quiet tension of the transitional hour between night and day, evoking themes of solitude and urban stillness.”
Charles Bell (20th-century), Headlights at Dawn. Oil on canvas, 25 x 30 in., signed lower right: ‘Charles Bell’. Estimate: $700/1,000
Grant Wood (1891-1942), Approaching Storm, 1940. Lithograph on paper, 117⁄8 x 97⁄8 in., signed in pencil lower right. Published by Associated American Artists. Estimate: $4/6,000
A pastoral scene by John Chumley will also make its way to auction this spring with the watercolor Shenandoah Valley Farm estimated at $3,000 to $5,000. “[This] is a masterful example of the artist’s commitment to American realism and his deep engagement with the rural landscapes of Virginia,” says Diner. “Executed in watercolor, the painting captures the vast expanse of the countryside, where rolling golden fields, scattered barns and a weathered farmhouse evoke a sense of historical continuity and quiet perseverance.”
American Art Within Reach will take place at Heritage Auctions’ Dallas, Texas, location. —
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