“Good-bye, Mistress Friendly-Soul!, The Witch,” by N.C. Wyeth, book frontispiece illustration, 1914, oil on canvas, 44 by 31¾ inches, signed lower left “N.C. Wyeth,” sold for $567,000 and was the top lot in the auction.
Photos Courtesy Heritage Auctions
DALLAS — On November 17, Heritage Auctions continued to prove its strength in the American art category with a tightly curated event that saw a number of works by America’s beloved artists sell for far above their estimates, broke an auction record and landed a painting in a prominent East Coast institution.
The Views and Visions: Important Works by American Masters Signature Auction realized more than $4 million and was led by the remarkable sale of a 1914 oil on canvas work by Newell Convers Wyeth, which sold for $567,000, far outstripping its $250/350,000 estimate. Titled “Good-bye, Mistress Friendly-Soul! The Witch,” the work was created as the illustration for the frontispiece for Mary Johnston’s 1914 novel The Witch, and is a beautiful example of Wyeth’s literary illustration work. Another work that soared well above its estimate was an 1897 bronze bust by Augustus Saint-Gaudens modeled on his favorite model Harriette (Hettie) Eugenia Anderson. Titled “Hettie Anderson, first study for the Head of Victory,” it was created as a study for Saint-Gaudens’ NIKE and the figure of Liberty from the Sherman Memorial at the entrance to Central Park; its estimate was $40/60,000, and it sold for $200,000.
An oil and acrylic on canvas by Ernie Barnes titled “Grooms at Work,” to be included in the forthcoming Barnes catalogue raisonné, outperformed its $30/50,000 estimate to realize $193,750. And, a 2002 acrylic on canvas by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith titled “Land Deal” flew past its $25/35,000 estimate to realize $125,000. The event was, in other words, an auction that inspired forthright appreciation from collectors for some cherished artists.
“Grooms at Work” by Earnie Barnes, oil and acrylic on canvas, 23¾ by 48 inches, signed lower right, “Ernie Barnes” and titled on the stretcher bar “Grooms at Work,” ran to $193,750.
“Our classic Golden-Age illustrations exceeded expectations, with select lots achieving a remarkable 10 times their estimates,” said Aviva Lehmann, Heritage’s senior vice president of American art. “These outcomes continue to highlight the insatiable demand within the collector community for top-tier illustrations in every category.”
Speaking of illustration, a 1960 painting by John Ford Clymer for a Saturday Evening Post cover titled “Recess at Pine Creek School, Montana” sold for $187,500. Other strong performers on the day included a circa 1870s painting by Albert Bierstadt titled “Evening, Owens Lake, California,” which sold for $212,500 and a 1965 tempera on panel by George Tooker titled “Tree,” which sold for $193,750. A painting by Sanford Robinson Gifford titled “Long Branch Beach,” from 1867, sold for $165,000.
Of note: Heritage set an auction record for Nineteenth Century American artist, M. Hörburg, with the oil on canvas “Lady Columbia and the Emancipation Proclamation,” circa 1863-75. It sold for $65,625. The painting serves as a striking example of how art and symbolism play a crucial role in shaping public perception and understanding of the Emancipation Proclamation during a pivotal moment in American history. And a prominent East Coast institution added to its collection with a 1920 moody gem of a painting by George Bellows titled “Blasted Tree and Deserted House,” which sold for $62,500.
“Tree” by George Tooker, 1965, tempera on panel, 20 by 20 inches, signed lower right “Tooker,” earned $193,750.
“The auction featured museum-quality offerings across the spectrum, drawing attention from both the collecting community and esteemed institutions alike,” said Lehmann. “Our catalog generated immense enthusiasm and garnered praise from collectors, consignors, dealers, advisors and museums, who join us in celebrating American Art as a cornerstone of our country’s history and culture.”
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For information, 214-528-3500 or www.ha.com.
