NEW YORK, NY.- Bonhams will feature a remarkable painting by widely acclaimed American Impressionist Frederick Carl Frieseke in the auction of American Art to be held in the firm’s Madison Avenue salesrooms on May 21. Titled "The Garden Chair," (est. $1,000,000-1,500,000), this masterpiece executed in 1912 was painted at the artist's Giverny home, where he was a neighbor to French Impressionist Claude Monet. Frieseke's presentation of light and color are as much the subject of this work as the chair and its occupant.
Known for his depictions of women in gardens, Frieseke enjoyed tremendous success following his 1913 solo exhibition held at Macbeth Gallery in New York - where the present work was first shown. "The Garden Chair" was eventually sold through Macbeth Gallery during the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915 in San Francisco, Calif., and has remained in the same family since that time.
Another exceptional lot receiving much pre-sale attention is a portrait of “Captain Gabriel Maturin” by John Singleton Copley, the most successful portrait painter in Colonial America (est. $500,000-700,000). Recently discovered, the painting is one of approximately 25 portraits painted by the artist during his six month New York sojourn in 1771, and represents a rare subgroup of the artist’s oeuvre. While the majority of located works from this period are in institutional collections, the offering of Copley’s portrait of “Captain Gabriel Maturin” presents a rare opportunity for collectors.
An additional notable work being offered on May 21 is George Catlin’s striking “Blackfoot Indian Group” (est. $300,000-500,000). Catlin notably traveled with famed explorer William Clark, of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, studying and depicting the daily lives of various Indian tribes with meticulous detail, resulting in a large body of historically important work.
“A Field of Hyacinths, Holland” by George Hitchcock is another highlight. This vibrant composition is being offered at an estimate of $400,000-600,000. In this work, Hitchcock incorporates traditional elements of Dutch painting with contemporary aesthetics by presenting bright bands of color, impassioned brushstrokes and bright light.
Bonhams will also offer an array of sculpture in this sale, including Paul Manship’s “Susanna” (est. $250,000-$350,000), a portrayal of Susanna and the Elders. Manship routinely employed biblical stories and mythology in his works, depicting them with subtle elements of modern design. Manship’s “Susanna” captures her innocence and purity of character while simultaneously referencing the classical nature of her story.
Other highlights certain to attract attention include an alluring cityscape, “Manhattan in Winter” by Guy Carleton Wiggins (est. $125,000-175,000), and a radiant woodland landscape, “Brook in Woods” by Albert Bierstadt (est. $100-000-150,000), among others.
