MONROVIA, Calif. – Moran’s California & American Fine Art auction on Nov. 3 realized strong prices for works by the 19th and 20th century’s plein air artists. California artists continue to draw a crowd and inspire awe with their masterworks of California and American landscapes. Artists often travel for inspiration, several works painted by California and American artists abroad featured prominently in the auction. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
California landscapes realized some of the highest prices of the day. Few artists can capture the beauty and majesty of a California spring with such an arresting allure as Granville Redmond. His California landscape with poppies and lupine (above) is one of the best of his works Moran’s has handled and realized $200,000 (all prices-realized include Moran’s 25% buyer’s premium).
John Marshall Gamble also took inspiration from another springtime view for his work Wild Verbena, Near Palm Springs. The colorful oil on canvas sold to a determined phone bidder for $50,000. Hanson Duvall Puthuff’s Where Hill and Valley Meet shows a unique view of the San Gabriel mountains with a shadowy valley and illuminated peaks. The work (below) easily surpassed its $10,000-$15,000 to bring $28,125 .
California artists have been known to make a few trips outside the Golden State; several examples of those works captured attention at the auction. A majestic Washington peak was the subject of William Wendt’s Tahoma, the Eternal and sold to a phone bidder for $62,500.
A wonderful watercolor from Millard Sheets of Moua Puta Across Drake Bay, done in Sheet’s most prized aesthetic realized $13,750. A terracotta-colored duo of sailboats by Edgar Alwin Payne painted during his time in Italy caused a bidding war between two eager phone bidders, ultimately bringing $17,500.
Rugged landscapes continue to have a romantic appeal for collectors. An overgrown lakeside landscape by William Louis Sonntag is a dramatic work from the artist and realized $7,500.
Yosemite’s Half Dome is reflected in a crystal-clear lake in Jules Tavernier’s Yosemite Valley-El Capitan and Half Dome. The muted colors and serene quality appealed to collectors, with one bringing it home for $13,750.
Castle Mountain from California artist Belmore Brown lovingly depicted the rugged terrain of the Canadian Rockies and realized $5,312.
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