Fine art seemed to dominate auctions around the country this week with a variety of genres and artists represented. Art standouts ranged from one of Andy Warhol’s famous “Marilyn” prints that attained a record $572,000 at Doyle to am original oil painting of an Indian encampment executed by US President Dwight D. Eisenhower that sold for $175,000 at Heritage. For all these stories and more, read on.
Presidential Painting Performs At Heritage
DALLAS — A painting by the 34th US president sold for more than four times its estimate to lead Heritage’s April 24-25 Americana & Political Auction. By the time the hammer fell for the final time, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s original oil on canvas “Painting of an Indian Encampment” had soared to $175,000. During the 1940s Eisenhower started painting landscapes, portraits and Western-themed scenes — a passion he continued to pursue throughout his presidency and retirement. Eisenhower gave this painting to his friend, Alex Frieder, a prominent American businessman and humanitarian who played a critical role during WWII, facilitating the rescue of approximately 1,300 Jewish refugees. For information, www.ha.com or 214-528-3500.
Marilyn Earns Record Price At Doyle
NEW YORK CITY — In Doyle’s April 28 Prints & Multiples auction, Andy Warhol’s iconic “Marilyn” achieved a record $572,000 — breaking the prior world auction record for any of his “Marilyn” screenprints, which was set in 1989 by a purple-red example. With heavy phone bidding, the competition ultimately narrowed to two private collectors. This 1967 print was numbered “31/250” and measured 36 inches square. For information, www.doyle.com or 212-427-2730.
Museum-Quality Icon Respected At Hargesheimer
DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY — The highlight of Hargesheimer Kunstauktionen’s Art & Icons From the Orthodox World auction, April 16-18, was a Fifteenth Century Russian icon depicting Athanasius the Great and Cyril of Alexandria. The tempera on wood panel icon of the Holy Church Fathers measured approximately 14 by 11 inches and sold for €166,400 ($195,296) to a distinguished icon museum. For information, www.kunstauktionen-duesseldorf.auction.
Native American Pieces Are Surprise Finish At Amelia Jeffers
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Spanning April 23-25, Amelia Jeffers’ Auctioneers & Appraisals’ Spring Fabulous Finds closed with an unexpected highlight on the final day. A collection of five Native American stone items that were found in Richland County, Ohio, rose well beyond its $200/400 estimate, finishing for $25,830. Of these stone pieces, the largest was seven inches long and one had a tag that read “Redskin 1-69 p.28 2101 288.” For information, www.ameliajeffers.com or 740-362-4771.
Bison Roams To Top For Nye
BLOOMFIELD, N.J. — George L. Wolf’s “Portrait of a Bison” was the top lot in Nye & Company’s April 29 auction of Property from the Collection of Mary Frances and John H. “Jack” Wood, Montclair, N.J. The bison topped the selection of 179 lots with its $7,500 result, far exceeding its $300/500 estimate. The Nineteenth/Twentieth Century American School oil on canvas painting measured 26½ by 31¼ inches as framed and was signed to the lower left. For information, www.nyeandcompany.com or 973-984-6900.
Natkin Lithograph Is Colorful Win At Neue
BEACHWOOD, OHIO — Rooted in Beauty was the title of Neue Auctions’ April 24 sale, which saw 424 lots of fine art and antiques with “depth, character and lasting presence” cross the block. “Bath – Apollo Series,” a large format lithograph on paper by Robert Natkin (Chicago, 1930-2010) earned the highest price, sailing past its $1/2,000 estimate to make $7,500. The 48½-by-84¼-inch work was numbered “22/75” and was float-mounted in a frame under plexiglass. For information, 216-245-6707 or www.neueauctions.com.
Early Decoy Flies To New Heights At Gurley
SCARBOROUGH, MAINE — The collection of Maine antiques collector and dealer Beverly BaRoss was sold by Gurley Antiques Gallery on April 25. The 446-lot sale was led by an early painted decoy, most likely by Oscar Bibber of Harpswell, Maine, which measured 14 inches in length. Despite a conservative estimate of $100/200, the decoy flew to $11,520. For information, 207-396-4255 or www.gurleyantiqueshows.com.
Bierstadt Landscape Is Amazing In April For Brandywine Valley
GLEN MILLS, PENN. — On April 26, Brandywine Valley Auctions conducted its 370-lot Amazing April Fine Art Auction, which included Old Master prints and paintings, Impressionist works, Abstract Expressionist works and more. Top-lot status was awarded to an oil on board landscape of a mountain, pines and creek by Alfred Bierstadt, a member of the New York Hudson River School. Measuring 27 by 20 inches framed, the work bore an “ABierstadt” signature and sold for $6,875. For information, [email protected] or 215-872-5240.
Bamboo Gucci Necklace Is Fashionable Find For SJ Auctioneers
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — SJ Auctioneers’ 322-lot Black Americana, Jewelry, Silver and Toys auction on April 26 was led by a signed Gucci 18K yellow gold bamboo link Station necklace, which realized $6,875. The necklace comprised of a cable chain with grooved, oval-shaped bamboo motif stations in varying sizes. For information, 646-450-7553 or www.sjauctioneers.com.
