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Laurence Sisson

Laurence Sisson landscapes featured in waca art auction July 9

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Laurence Sisson (American 1928-2015), oil on canvas, ‘New Mexico Desert Landscape,’ framed, 48 x 35 3/4 inches. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Waca Auctions image
Laurence Sisson (American 1928-2015), oil on canvas, ‘New Mexico Desert Landscape,’ framed, 48 x 35 3/4 inches. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. waca auctions image

 

ST. LOUIS – A stunning New Mexico scene by the late Laurence Sisson, one of America’s preeminent landscape artists, will be featured in waca auctions’ 19th and 20th century fine art and print auction July 9.

Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.

Sisson (1928-2015) tirelessly painted multiple watercolors of a scene until having an “epiphany” that would reveal the painting within a painting. Sisson then took that scene to oil. Waca auctions is offering two of Sisson’s magnificent panoramic landscapes, one mountain and one desert scene, in the auction.

Born in Boston, Laurence “Lonnie” Sisson started painting professionally at age 15 and gained a following throughout New England. His landscapes and seascapes were inspired by the scenic coastline of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where Sisson grew up. He expanded his vistas to the desert Southwest in 1979, after relocating to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

Laurence Sisson oil on canvas, 56 1/2 x 44 3/4 inches. In a PBS documentary Sisson described his landscapes as “controlled chaos ... creating a three dimensional quality." Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Waca Auctions image
Laurence Sisson oil on canvas, 56 1/2 x 44 3/4 inches. In a PBS documentary Sisson described his landscapes as “controlled chaos … creating a three dimensional quality.” Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. waca auctions image

 

The 90-lot auction also features pieces from Alexander Calder, Joe Jones, Miriam McKinnie and D.G. Yemm.

Unique and powerful pieces include a portrait of St. Maxmilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar who volunteered to die in another’s place in Auschwitz on Aug. 14, 1941. Pope John Paul II canonized Kolbe in 1982. The portrait is signed “Hania.”

 

‘Portrait of Maximilian Kolbe,’ a Polish Franciscan friar who sacrificed his life for another prisoner at Auschwitz in 1941. Based on a photograph, the portrait is watercolor and pastel on paper and signed ‘Hania.’ Waca Auctions image
‘Portrait of Maximilian Kolbe,’ a Polish Franciscan friar who sacrificed his life for another prisoner at Auschwitz in 1941. Based on a photograph, the portrait is watercolor and pastel on paper and signed ‘Hania.’ waca auctions image

 

The auction will offer two separate series by mid­20th century French street artist Luky Paris, which are portraits of stunning dark-skinned female subjects and full-length views of cancan dancers.

 

‘Luky Paris’ art initially was brought to the United States by John Wanamaker, the Philadelphia department store maven who also ran a fine art gallery. Wanamaker brought French artists from the streets and salons of Paris to his private collection and department store clients. Waca Auctions image
‘Luky Paris’ art initially was brought to the United States by John Wanamaker, the Philadelphia department store owner who also ran a fine art gallery. Wanamaker brought French artists from the streets and salons of Paris to his private collection and department store clients. waca auctions image

 

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.

Laurence Sisson