Rockwell's 'Homecoming Marine' Sets Artist's Record At Sotheby's

NEW YORK CITY

:Sotheby's successful sale of American paintings on May 24 brought $60,029,600 and set records for several artists. The sale was 89.4 percent sold by value and 80.5 percent sold by lot.

Its top highlight was Norman Rockwell's "Homecoming Marine," which set a record for the artist at auction when it realized $9.2 million from an American private buyer.

A record for Andrew Wyeth was achieved with "South Cushing," which sold for $4,384,000 to an American private buyer.

Discussing the sale, Dara Mitchell, director of Sotheby's American paintings department, said, "The very strong competition in this sale for classic works by artists such as Norman Rockwell, Andrew Wyeth and Thomas Hart Benton resulted in notably higher records for these and other artists as well. The American art market is currently experiencing an influx of new American buyers whose enthusiastic participation is driving prices to new levels."

Artists records were also set for Maria Oakey Dewing with "Rose Garden" going out for $2,032,000; Thomas Hart Benton, whose "Keith Farm, Chilmark" fetched $1,808,000 from a New York City dealer buying for an American client; and Francis A. Silva, with $1,472,000 paid for "On the Hudson, Nyack."

Rounding out the sale's top ten lots were Childe Hassam, "A Paris Nocturne," $3,152,000; Marsden Hartley, "Storm Down Pine Point Way, Old Orchard Beach," $2,256,000; John Singleton Copley, "Portrait of John Hancock," $1,696,000; Norman Rockwell, "Hoodlum Street," $1,360,000; and Georgia O'Keeffe, "Alligator Pears (Alligator Pear-No. 11)," $940,000.

Prices reported include buyer's premium, which is 20 percent of the hammer price on the first $200,000, and 12 percent thereafter.

For information, 212-606-7000 or www.sothebys.com.