On May 19 in Dallas, Heritage Auctions presented its American Art Signature Auction, which featured a broad selection of 19th and 20th century artworks. Anchoring the sale was a large grouping of Norman Rockwell illustrations, the majority property from the Boy Scouts of America Settlement Trust.
As anticipated, the Rockwells tipped the sale over the $6 million mark, led by the extraordinary 1952 illustration Study for Cheerleaders, which realized $600,000. Other top results for the artist included Friend in Need, 1949, which achieved $500,000, and Willie Gillis in Convoy, circa 1943, which went for $300,000.
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), Study for Cheerleaders, 1952. Mixed media on paper, 401/8 x 38½ in. SOLD: $600,000
“I think Rockwell’s enduring appeal lies in his unique ability to tell stories that feel both deeply personal and universally recognizable,” says Aviva Lehmann, Heritage’s deputy chairman of fine art. “His work captures moments of American life that transcend generations, reminding us not only of who we were, but who we aspire to be. In an increasingly complex world, Rockwell’s imagery offers something timeless and comforting without sacrificing sophistication or artistic merit.
“From a market perspective, there is also a growing appreciation for narrative art and culturally iconic imagery,” Lehmann continues, noting the September opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles. “Collectors—young and old, established and emerging—are increasingly recognizing the importance of artists who shaped our visual culture. Rockwell is not simply one of America’s most beloved illustrators; he is one of America’s most important storytellers. That is why his work continues to resonate, and why it remains among the most sought-after and collectible images in American art.”
Joseph Christian Leyendecker (1874-1951), Newspapers over Books, ca. 1910. Oil and pencil on canvas, 21 x 31 in., signed with artist’s monogram center left: JC Leyendecker; signed with artist’s monogram lower right: JCL. SOLD: $250,000
Further reinforcing Heritage’s position as a leader in the illustration art market, other works in the genre did exceptionally well, including Joseph Christian Leyendecker’s Newspapers over Books, circa 1910, which realized $250,000; and two important works by Maurice Sendak that collectively brought $275,000.
In the contemporary category, Ernie Barnes’ The Trick Shot from 1983 confirmed the ongoing demand for the artist’s paintings when it sold for $250,000. Heritage also established a new auction record for an Ed Mell (1924-2024) still life when Cactus Bloom achieved $112,000, doubling its presale high estimate of $60,000. The sale of Wolf Kahn’s Evening Near Small Point, 1992, kicked the sale off with a bang when it realized $212,500, soaring over an estimated value of $40,000 to $60,000. “Not only did the work sell for more than three times its high estimate, but it also became one of the artist’s top 10 auction results—a remarkable achievement for such a prolific painter,” says Lehmann. “Twenty-two bidders competed for the painting, and the bidding battle lasted several minutes. It was an electrifying way to begin the auction.”
Ernie Barnes (1938-2009), The Trick Shot, 1983. Acrylic on canvas, 29½ x 39½ in., signed lower right: ERNIE BARNES. SOLD: $250,000
For Lehmann, the results of Heritage’s American Art Signature Auction reinforce what she and many of her peers in the auction sector have observed for years. She explains, “The American art market remains remarkably resilient and stable. Unlike some more volatile sectors of the art market, American art tends to be driven by long-term collectors, scholarship and connoisseurship rather than short-term speculation…Perhaps most importantly, the sale demonstrated that collectors remain willing to compete aggressively for exceptional works with strong provenance, compelling narratives, and art historical significance. While market headlines often focus on fluctuations at the very top end, this auction was a reminder that the foundation of the American art market remains strong.” —
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