Contemporary art shines in Gray’s auction Oct. 31-Nov.1
Xavier Bueno (1915-1979) ‘The Girl and the Doll,’ oil on board. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
CLEVELAND – In a stellar two-day auction event taking place Wednesday, Oct. 31, and Thursday, Nov. 1, Gray’s Auctioneers will feature an exciting selection of fine and decorative art objects – with a number of spectacular modern and contemporary artworks headlining the show. LiveAuctoneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
Among the most notable of these works is Lot 35, a work titled The Girl and The Doll by the Spanish Realist painter Xavier Bueno. Art historians count Bueno among a talented group of Modern Realist artists flourishing throughout Europe in the mid-20th century. Often featuring women and children in his art, Bueno’s paintings demonstrate both a melancholic tone and sense of social consciousness in the vein of Goya and Delacroix. In keeping with the greatness of these modern masters, Gray’s will also offer a rich, limited-edition color lithograph by Marc Chagall (Lot 180) in this special two-day fall sale.
Highlights from a spectacular group of more contemporary artworks featured in the auction include a large-scale graphic painting by famed New York artist Allan D’Arcangelo called Constellation No. 2 (Lot 12). D’Arcangelo first achieved recognition as an artist for his participation in the mid-century modern Pop Art movement. His works can be found at the Tate Gallery in London and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among numerous other public and private collections worldwide.
Yet another famous New Yorker appearing in Gray’s fall sale is legendary caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, known for his black and white portraits of Hollywood celebrities and Broadway stars. Lot 141 is one such image, depicting a backstage gathering of actors and actresses, some of whom have been identified as David Niven and Peter Sellers. Hirschfeld reportedly included the name of his beloved daughter Nina in every cartoon. Can you spot it?
In addition to works by artists with widely recognizable names, Gray’s is proud to introduce a number of rising stars to the world art stage. The auction house has had huge success over the past several months in establishing markets for previously less recognized artists, many from the Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania areas. Last May, Gray’s sold a collection of lyrical abstractions by the reclusive Cleveland artist Ronald Meaux with impressive sales results. In September, they paid tribute to local Outsider Art phenomenon the Rev. Albert Wagner with an exclusive, career-encompassing sale. Wagner’s works went to several major museum and gallery collections nationwide with over 95 percent of lots sold.
Now, in this fall auction, Gray’s is thrilled to yet again have collections from local artists waiting to be discovered on a national stage. Included in the bunch is a second round of watercolors and pastels by Pittsburgh native Nate Dunn, whose first performance at Gray’s in July surpassed all expectations in prices achieved and number of lots sold. The auction house hopes to have similar success with original paintings and superb silkscreen prints by the Erie, Pa., artist Roy Ahlgren, whose career spanned a wide range of artistic styles, from his mesmerizing Op Art works of the 1960s and ’70s to the hard-edge landscapes and nature abstractions of his later evolution.
Day two of this extensive fall sale will encompass decorative art objects, fine furniture and rugs. Standout lots include a collection of refined Chinese carved jade and hard stone figures, seals and pendants, gorgeous silver serving pieces from a prominent Cleveland home, and over 30 luxurious Persian rugs.
Condition reports and shipping quotes are provided on request.
There will be a preview party for this sale in the showroom on Friday, Oct. 26, from 5-8 p.m.
Gray’s Auctioneers and Appraisers offers complimentary valuations by appointment every Friday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For details contact Serena Harragin at 216-458-7695 or by email at serena@graysauctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Xavier Bueno (1915-1979) ‘The Girl and the Doll,’ oil on board. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
Roy Ahlgren (1927-2011) ‘Blue Divide,’ acrylic on canvas. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
Al Hirschfeld (1903-2003) ‘Simone Ch #9A Wardrobe,’ ink on board. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) ‘Easel with Flowers,’ color lithograph. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
Large Colima earthenware seated dog. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
Arts and Crafts painted pine library shelf with book stand, late 19th / early 20th century. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
Andre Dubreuil-style spine chair, 20th Century. Gray’s Auctioneers image.
