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Many of American realist John Koch's paintings are set in his spacious New York City apartment and picture antiques. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

Brunk to auction prized John Koch painting

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

Many of American realist John Koch's paintings are set in his spacious New York City apartment and picture antiques. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
Many of American realist John Koch’s paintings are set in his spacious New York City apartment and picture antiques. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – One might expect a large painting by New York artist John Koch (1909-1978) to be offered in an art gallery in Manhattan, but the honor of selling his work titled The Plasterers goes to Brunk Auctions on Saturday, May 9. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

The Plasterers (1967) is an oil on canvas measuring 40 inches by 49 7/8 inches. It depicts two men in white coveralls spackling the walls of Koch’s apartment overlooking Central Park. The 14-room apartment in the famed El Dorado building was home to Koch (pronounced Coke) and his wife, piano coach Dora Zaslavsky (1905-1987), beginning in 1954. The painting comes to Brunk Auctions from a private collection in Tennessee. Included with it will be six preparatory sketches by Koch. The artwork carries a $175,000-$250,000 estimate.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, Koch was a largely self-taught figurative painter, who was dismissed by the modernist establishment when he was alive. In 2002-2003 the New-York Historical Society presented a memorable retrospective of his work titled John Koch: Painting a New York Life.

“His works don’t come on the market very often and this one has great provenance,” said auctioneer Robert S. Brunk. “He’s a highly respected and sought after artist.”

A choice piece of furniture to sell on the opening day of the auction is a circa 1730s English Queen Anne burlwood secretary, which is expected to bring $10,000-15,000. The secretary features an arched pediment centering a carved and gilt floral basket, arched mirrored doors and a slant front.

Early maps will be featured on the first day of the auction. Among the earliest will be a 16th-century map of Virginia and North Carolina by John White, who accompanied Sir Walter Raleigh on his 1585 expedition into Virginia. The map is a copper engraving on laid paper and was published by Theodore De Bry, Frankfurt, in 1590. It measures 11-7/8 by 16-1/4 inches and has an $8,000-$12,000 estimate.

A pair of Continental majolica blackamoors standing 34 1/2 inches high will sell on the second day of the auction, Sunday, May 10. The figures date to the turn of the 20th century and are expected to bring $1,000-2,000. They are said to have been owned by the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain.

For more information about the sale contact Brunk Auctions at 828-254-6846 or go to the Web site www.brunkauctions.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Click here to view Brunk Auction’s complete catalog.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Published in 1590, John White's map shows Virginia and what is now North Carolina. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
Published in 1590, John White’s map shows Virginia and what is now North Carolina. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
This 18th-century English Queen Anne secretary stands nearly 8 feet 5 inches high. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
This 18th-century English Queen Anne secretary stands nearly 8 feet 5 inches high. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
A large hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting Napoleon's coronation forms the center of the tabletop on this Napoleon III style Sevres table, which has an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
A large hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting Napoleon’s coronation forms the center of the tabletop on this Napoleon III style Sevres table, which has an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
An arm has been repaired on this pair of Continental majolica blackamoors, said to have been owned by a U.S. ambassador to Great Britain. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.
An arm has been repaired on this pair of Continental majolica blackamoors, said to have been owned by a U.S. ambassador to Great Britain. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.