PHILADELPHIA, PA.- Freeman’s June 4 American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists sale features historically significant works from a number of highly regarded American artists. Freeman’s is the only auction house with a specialty category in Pennsylvania Impressionism; as such, the well-curated group of important works by influential artists in this collecting genre should garner considerable attention.

Perhaps one of the most significant pieces in the sale is “Lone Sycamore” (Lot 64) by leading Pennsylvania Impressionist, Daniel Garber. “Lone Sycamore” —one of four works in the sale by Garber— comes fresh to auction from a private Pennsylvania collection; it carries a pre-sale estimate of $400,000-600,000.

The last in a series by Garber depicting the same tree, “Lone Sycamore” was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art in 1945, where it received the show’s Popular Prize; it was the last of the artist’s paintings to win a popular vote at a major exhibition. The lot exemplifies Garber’s superb rendering of a panoramic landscape and demonstrates his mastery of the relationship between light and shadow. Its subject matter, the sycamore, was revisited numerous times by the artist, speaking to its significance in his oeuvre.

The sale also includes six works by one of the significant female pioneers of the Pennsylvanian Impressionist movement, Fern Isabel Coppedge. Settling in New Hope, Pennsylvania in 1917, Coppedge developed an affinity for en plein air landscapes. Her impressionist style was illustrated through bright, contrasting colors and often included snow-capped scenes from the New Hope area, such as Lot 67: Bucks County in the Snow, $40,000-60,000; and seaside compositions in and around Gloucester, Massachusetts, such as Lot 63, “Pigeon Cove,” $40,000-60,000.

Joining the works of Garber and Coppedge are five contrasting pieces from fellow Pennsylvania Impressionist, George William Sotter. These paintings depict various landscapes from bright spring village lanes to quiet, peaceful winter evenings.

Sotter was especially regarded for his winter scenes in moonlight, the light of the starry night sky shining through and reflecting off the snow. Lot 97, Carversville at Night lies in the county surrounding New Hope, PA where Sotter lived and had his studio; this is particularly representative of one of his night scenes of the area. Carversville at Night is estimated between $70,000-100,000.

Seven pieces from John Fulton Folinsbee are also featured, further demonstrating Freeman’s unparalleled specialty in the Pennsylvania Impressionist category. Folinsbee was from New Hope, Pennsylvania and painted the province’s diverse landscapes throughout his career. He explored loose brushstrokes and the use of dramatic lighting; these techniques are xemplified among the seven paintings offered in the June 4 sale. Of particular interest is lot 58, “Tree and Buildings, Bucks County.” The painting is oil on canvas and is signed ‘John Folinsbee’ at the bottom right. Its estimate is between $20,000-30,000.

Another historically significant piece in the sale is Lot 8, an oil portrait of George Washington by Rembrandt Peale. Formerly in the collection of Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Eleanor Parke Custis, the portrait was exhibited at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Woodlawn Plantation, Alexandria, Virginia, on loan by the Truland Foundation from 1998 to 2003. A Pennsylvania native, Peale was born in Bucks County and grew up in Philadelphia. Throughout his career, Peale was praised for the likenesses he rendered of George Washington, among other political figures.

Lots 9 and 10 come from another Philadelphia artist, William Trost Richards. Regarded as one of the finest 19th century American landscape artists, Richards was an accomplished watercolorist, draftsman and was best known for his seascapes. Lot 9, Seascape and Lot 10, Waves at Dawn, are both excellent examples of Richard’s special aesthetic understanding of the sea. They showcase serene skies, frothy sea foam and a green hued ocean crashing dramatically over large rocks.

Freeman’s is also offering work from one of the most talented and recognized illustrators of the 20th century, Gil Elvgren. He is best known for his masterful pin-up portraits which captured the advertising world mid-century where he earned commissions from some of the United States’ largest companies, like General Electric and Coca-Cola. These illustrations were consigned by the family who owned Horlacher Brewey Co. (operative from 1933-1978), and were featured at the business itself.
Today, Elvgren’s work emits a mid-century charm popular with present-day aesthetics. Lots 36-38 clearly demonstrate Elvgren’s singular ability to capture the spirit and sensuality of American feminine beauty.