Skinner’s art auction May 21 has works by Tanguy, Hassam, Dunning
Childe Hassam (American, 1859-1935) painted ‘At the Grand Prix’ about 1887. The pastel and graphite on paper/board is 11 1/2 inches by 8 1/4 inches. It has a $150,000-$200,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.
One of the more important pieces being offered is Yves Tanguy’s Un peu après (A Little Later). This fantastic work from 1940 had been hidden since the 1970s when it was last shown. The painting comes to Skinner from the estate of Mary Lee Ingbar of Cambridge, Mass., who acquired it from her parents. It is estimated at $300,000-$500,000.
From the same collection comes a wonderful group of artists’ books. Of note is L’Antitête by Tristan Tzara. Tzara was a member of the Dada movement and later joined the Surrealists. L’Antitête was written as three anthologies, and in this second edition of the work, each artist illustrated one volume – Max Ernst the first, Yves Tanguy the second, and Joan Miró the last. The book is estimated at $40,000-$60,000. A second fine example of an artist’s book, of which there are approximately 20 being offered in the sale, is Foirades/Fizzles by Samuel Beckett, illustrated by Jasper Johns. It is estimated at $12,000-$18,000.
Also up for bid is At the Grand Prix by Childe Hassam. This gem of a pastel is one of only approximately eight created by Hassam between 1887 and 1889 while in Paris, and has been in the same private collection for several decades. It is estimated at $150,000 to $200,000. Still Life with Fruit by Robert Spear Dunning, co-founder of the Fall River School of still life painting is being offered as well. The pristine work reflects the elegance of the period and descended from a Southern New England family that held the piece for several decades. It is estimated at $50,000-$70,000.
Rounding out the key highlights is Lyonel Feininger’s It Happened in a Dream. This great example of Feininger’s work is estimated at $40,000-$60,000.
“With offerings such as the Dunning, the Hassam, a Charles Courtney Curran and others, we’re staying true to our roots as a premier auctioneer of 19th-century American paintings. At the same time, we are continuing our new focus with strong 20th-century material,” said Robin Starr, director of American and European Paintings and Prints at Skinner. “This sale is very much an extension of the caliber of pieces we enjoyed in our January sale. As such, expectations are that bidders won’t stop until they get the works they want,” added Starr.
Previews for the auction will be held May 19 from noon to 5 p.m., on May 20 from noon to 8 p.m. and May 21 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The Thursday evening preview will feature a reception and gallery walk beginning at 5:30 p.m. RSVP to 617-350-5400. Illustrated catalog #2507 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. For details visit www.skinnerinc.com or call 508-970-3000.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Robert Spear Dunning’s luscious ‘Still Life with Fruit’ is dated 1866. The oil on canvas measures 24 1/2 inches by 22 inches. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Yves Tanguy’s ‘Un peu après’ (A Little Later) in 1940 after coming to America. The quixotic landscape is oil on canvas mounted to Masonite, 18 by 15 inches. The painting expected to sell for $300,000-$500,000. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
Lyonel Feininger (American, 1871-1956) signed ‘It Happened in a Dream’ ‘L.F.’ in pencil lower left and dated it ‘1946.’ The ink, gouache and graphite work on laid paper, 12 1/2 inches by 18 7/8 inches has a $40,000-$60,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc.
