Our 26th Annual Spring Fine Art Auction Friday June 7th, 2024 at 12:00 pm CDT
1 :: BIRGER SANDZEN (1871-1954) DUSK MOON OIL ON CANVAS 1912 (1912) The pointillist technique landscape with rose-tinted clouds lit by an evening sun from the opposite horizon is accented by a rising moon reflected on water near colorful wildflowers, and signed lower right with a date of 1912. This work is found untouched, and in the original frame of a Rococo style rarely seen on works by Birger Sandzen. The original backing, held in place by its original brown paper tape, and steel tacks, retains the early 20th century label 'Findlay Art Galleries, Inc. High Class Paintings, Kansas City Missouri.' The artist's register at the Sandzen Memorial Gallery refers to paintings that Sandzen 'Sent to Findlay Art Gallery, Kansas City, Mo', presumably on a consignment basis, though the notes do not elaborate. Pointillism in the style seen here is a painting technique that Birger Sandzen was probably first exposed to around 1894 during his studies with Edmond Aman-Jean in Paris, just months before he emigrated to the United States. During his first 15 or so years in Kansas, Dr. Sandzen's style was closely aligned with what scholars refer to as the National Romantic painting movement in Sweden. It appears that around 1910 he began to paint canvases in the technique seen here. And on rare occasion he'd strengthen those compositions by including an enchanting moon hung just above the horizon at twilight. Canvas measures 16 x 24 with a framed size of 26 x 32 inches. Very good original untouched condition. There are no issues of punctures, tears, chips, flakes, losses, indentations, scratches, rubs, flakes, losses, replacements, relining or any other issue to any degree. The tacks and paper holding the backing board in place are the original. The surface is obviously toned with a layer of soiling from environment. Examination under UV light confirms the complete absence of inpainting or touch-up. $60,000 - $90,000
2 :: ARISTIDE MAILLOL (18611944) BRONZE CIRCA 1902 'Le Petite M?diterran?e OR La M?diterran?e, ?tude' (1902) This dark greenish brown patinated bronze figure of a seated nude is signed with the artist's monogram of interlaced AM in the casting and numbered 6/6 near the founder's mark Alexis Rudier, Fondeur, Paris. Mr. Olivier Lorquin, President of the Dina Vierny Foundation Maillol Museum Director of the Gallery Dina Vierny informed us
Soulis Auctions - Our 26th Annual Spring Fine Art Auction
that this posthumous sculpture 'Study for the Mediterranean' 1902 is authentic. A certificate from the foundation, signed by Olivier Lorquin and confirming his findings is included. This figure from 1902 served as an early study for a large statue of the same subject first exhibited in Paris in 1905. Maillol began in a drawing course at the ?cole des Beaux-Arts around 1881. He later became interested in tapestry before settling on sculpture for which he gained international recognition. The female figure was his primary subject and he is credited by many for setting the tone of Modern sculpture. As recognition grew, Maillol would create many versions of his original La M?diterran?e the subject up for bid here. Provenance: The collection of Dr. William H. Potts of Dallas, Texas by descent to the current estate. An original sales tag from Perls Gallery is pictured here and included with the lot. A label from Musee de Art Moderne is pictured but the original is not included.
Measures 4 x 5.25 x 2.5 inches. Very good condition throughout, original untouched surface, very light wear to the patination on some surfaces and high spots. $15,000 - $25,000
3 :: AARON BOHROD (1907-1992) TROMPE L'OEIL OIL ON BOARD 'Still Life '52' Anatomy of a Horse.' (Early 1960s.) The extraordinary composition of visual trickery, and masterfully executed precision, is signed lower right within the work as if the letters were intaglio carved in the antique wood panel. An original label from Everett Oelschlager Galleries remains verso. Aaron Bohrod (1907-1992) was a notable American artist renowned for his mastery the trompe-l'?il painting technique, a term that translates form French to English as 'optical illusion' or 'to deceive the eye.' He initially gained recognition as an artist for his social realism genre scenes in the 1930s. After the war, he transitioned to the trompe l'oeil style of which he is an obvious master. Board measures 25 x 30.75 with a framed size of 38 x 32 inches. Very good to fine original untouched condition. There are no issues, to any degree, of scratches, losses, repairs, in-painting or touch-up. $12,000 - $18,000
1