Judson’s ‘Bird Girl’ soars to record $390K at Freeman’s June 6 auction

Sylvia Shaw Judson, ‘Bird Girl,’ which sold for $390,600 and a world auction record for the artist
Sylvia Shaw Judson, ‘Bird Girl,’ which sold for $390,600 and a world auction record for the artist
Sylvia Shaw Judson, ‘Bird Girl,’ which sold for $390,600 and a world auction record for the artist

PHILADELPHIA — Freeman’s is pleased to announce the results of its June 6 American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists auction, which far outperformed its overall estimate to achieve an impressive sale result of nearly $3.5 million. The 89-lot auction featured a 91% sell-through rate and multiple standout sales, confirming Freeman’s strength in presenting important American art at auction. Between December 2020 and June 2021, Freeman’s has achieved their best year yet for American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists: with more than $10 million realized for fewer than 200 lots.

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Freeman’s debuts Judson’s famous ‘Bird Girl’ bronze June 6

Sylvia Shaw Judson’s ‘Bird Girl,’ bronze, 1936, estimated at $100,000-$150,000
Sylvia Shaw Judson’s ‘Bird Girl,’ bronze, 1936, estimated at $100,000-$150,000
Sylvia Shaw Judson’s ‘Bird Girl,’ bronze, 1936, estimated at $100,000-$150,000

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Freeman’s is pleased to present Sylvia Shaw Judson’s Bird Girl, the highlight of its June 6 American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists auction. This fresh-to-market work is one of the most recognizable American sculptures to ever appear at auction. Conceived in 1936 by the Chicago-based Judson, Bird Girl was cast by Roman Bronze Works in New York, and will carry a pre-sale estimate of $100,000-150,000. One of four extant original bronzes, this iconic image is immediately familiar from Jack Leigh’s haunting photograph used as the cover of John Berendt’s 1994 best-selling novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

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