SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Scottsdale Art Auction’s two-day Spring 2026 auction kicked off on Friday, April 10, with exceptional results. Before the second session began on April 11, the firm reported on its social media platforms: “Yesterday was a day for the ages! Wonderful results throughout the sale…the entire day was well over the high estimate.” Though session one was already a marked success, the auction’s overall leading lot, “Carmencita,” an oil on canvas portrait by Nicolai Fechin (Russian-American,1881-1955), was sold during session two. Estimated $600/900,000, the young girl and her doll rose to $1,020,000, including buyer’s premium. The work had provenance to Nedra Matteucei Gallery (Santa Fe, N.M.), the Indiana collection of Richard Freeland (one of the largest individual Pizza Hut franchisees) and a private collection in Texas. On the 29-by-25-inch framed work’s reverse were several labels for Fort Wayne (Ind.) Museum of Art, Fenn Galleries (Santa Fe), the Western Center for the Conservation of Fine Arts (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) and the Eiteljorg Museum (Indianapolis). Additional highlights from the 462-lot auction will run in an upcoming issue.
