Bidders from more than 15 countries competed for a wide selection of art work at Trinity International Auctions and Appraisals on Saturday, May 19. Serious Internet, telephone and absentee bidding dominated the auction, and resulted in solid prices achieved throughout the afternoon. Auctioneer and Trinity principal Steve Gass commented that the noon starting time, unusual for an art auction, was specifically geared toward accommodating clients from around the world.
More than 300 lots were offered in the auction, and Gass commented that he was very happy with the overall results. “There was a tremendous deal of presale interest in this auction,” he said, “especially internationally. There was lots of Internet bidding,” the auctioneer added, “but the telephones were extremely active throughout the day and the phone bidders were very aggressive.”
Leading the sale was an Impressionist oil on canvas depicting a reclining nude female by Russian American artist Nicolai Ivanovich Fechin. The painting saw active bidding from both the Internet and the telephones, selling at $37,500.
Another painting by a Russian American artist to perform well was a still life by David Burliuk titled “Vase of Flowers and Sea.” This lot also attracted a great deal of interest, realizing $13,000. A Boris Ansfeld oil depicting a colorful seascape brought $6,200.
A watercolor and pencil of a seated nude was attributed to Amedeo Modigliani and sold within estimate at $16,700. A charcoal on paper depicting the head of a wolf by Lucian Freud also did well at $8,300.
An angelical Old Masters painting depicting the “Head of the Christ Child,” after Peter Paul Rubens, proved to be a sought-after item, exceeding estimate to sell at $4,200.
A selection of hunting theme paintings included an Alexander Pope Jr oil on canvas depicting two setters in the field. Estimated at $3/5,000, it finished at $5,100. A pair of Percival Rosseau paintings of hunting dogs realized the same price.
An oil on board by Carl Rungius depicting a mountainous landscape attracted attention, going out at $6,575. A William Lester Stevens oil depicting apple blossoms in an orchard setting brought $6,500.
“We offered a good selection of Polish works,” stated Gass, who further commented that he is seeing a trend developing here and notes that the paintings are becoming quite popular.
Works by Polish artists included a Julian Falat watercolor and gouache depicting a snowy landscape with river titled “Bystra in Winter.” The lot opened with a substantial absentee bid and was chased by both the Internet and telephones, selling above estimate at $7,200. An oil on canvas cityscape by Polish artist Jerzy Krawczyk titled “Uliczka w Delf” also exceeded estimate, bringing $7,200.
Also sold was a serigraph by Tamara de Lempicka titled “Adam and Eve,” from an edition of 195, that realized $7,300.
An Impressionist beach scene depicting ladies in dresses under a cabana with flags by Suzanne Eisendieck sold at $6,575, an oil by Ruth Francken titled “Maieute Fiances” went for $4,800, and a Rosa Marie Bonheur study titled “The Horse Fair” brought $3,300.
Gass stated that he was in the process of researching a possible record price achieved for Jewish American artist Ben Benn as an oil on canvas depicting a New Jersey landscape realized $1,800.
One item in the auction that Gass commented went out at a bargain price was a Francis Bacon lithograph, “Left Panel from Triptych Inspired by Oresteia of Aeschylus” that sold at $1,900. “It should have brought a lot more; the buyer is going to be very happy with the price he paid.”
All prices include the buyer’s premium charged.
The next auction at Trinity International is scheduled for Thursday evening, July 19. For additional information, www.tiauctions.com or 860-677-9996.
