WOODSTOCK, N.Y. — Bidders at the 13th annual auction to benefit the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum (WAAM) will find many surprises in the mosaic of diverse artwork to be offered at this year’s sale, slated for October 17 at WAAM’s gallery.
“Famille de Cerfs” by Antoine-Louis Bayre (1896–1875), cast bronze, 9 by 9¾ inches by 5¼ inches. Courtesy of the James Cox Gallery at Woodstock.
According to James Cox, co-sponsor of the event, this year’s auction will give attendees an opportunity to buy original artwork created by an array of major artists, including Auguste Renoir, Alice Neel, Antoine-Louis Bayre, Robert Motherwell, Philip Guston, Franz Kline and many more. “Perhaps because Woodstock is a 110-year-old art colony, the supply and quality of art never seems to abate,” Cox noted.
Several depictions of the human form will be offered. Cox described a lush oil of a seated nude by Emil Ganso as “one of the finest” paintings he has seen by this Woodstock artist. A rare line drawing of a standing nude by sculptor John Flannagan and a pen and blue ink piece by Milton Avery, as well as portraits by Eugene Speicher, Sigmund Menkes and Alice Neel, are among other figurative pieces in the auction. Cox noted that the Alice Neel work is an especially unique early piece by this New York portraitist.
A haunting John Fenton oil of seven figures aboard a small boat portrays human diversity in Fenton’s distinctly eccentric style. According to Cox, the painting’s vibrant palette combine with the artist’s enigmatic world view to make this an exceptional example of “Fenton at his best.”
John Fenton (1912–1977), untitled (Figures on Boat), circa 1960, oil on canvas, 20 by 24 inches. Courtesy of the James Cox Gallery at Woodstock
Midcentury Modernists featured in the auction include Rolph Scarlett, Lucile Blanch, Remo Farruggio, Elaine Wesley, Eduardo Chavez, Arnold Blanch, Rosario Moreno and Ethel Magafan. Two oils by Scarlett’s student Manette Van Hamell are being offered for the first time at any auction venue. Van Hamell is known for her sculpted jewelry. Cox described her abstract oils as powerful examples of the resurging midcentury genre. He also pointed to one of the more unique pieces from this period, a handwoven tapestry by Woodstock artist, designer and muralist Anton Refregier.
“Landscapes always enjoy strong representation in these auctions,” according to WAAM gallery director Carl Van Brunt. “This year is no exception.” Plein air paintings by Woodstock artists John F. Carlson, Walter Koeniger, and Charles Rosen are among work by Twentieth Century landscape painters in the sale. Cox pointed out that he is especially enthused to be able to offer a detailed winter scene of a Woodstock farm by Carl Wuermer. “This is the first time we have been able to offer a painting by Wuermer in our fall auction,” Cox added.
Rolph Scarlett (1889–1984), untitled, undated, oil on paper, 29¼ by 187/8 inches. Courtesy of the James Cox Gallery at Woodstock
Three Nineteenth Century Hudson River School pieces offer collectors historical grounding in the American landscape school. A large framed oil by Walter M. Oddie is a standout.
Jehudith Sobel is another Expressionist landscape painter who is popular among those participating in WAAM benefit auctions. Two oils by this Polish-born artist round out the group of landscapes to be featured.
Among the 233 lots in the sale are a group of works by European artists, including Renoir, Seymour Haden (Whistler’s brother-in-law), Marcel Vertes, Eugene Fromentin, Jacques Villon, Louis Icart and sculptor Antoine-Louis Bayre.
Buyers may bid live, online or in real time via liveauctioneers.com or invaluable.com.
An auction preview party will be at 28 Tinker Street, on Friday, October 9, from 6 to 8 pm. Preview will be Saturday, October 10, through noon on October 17. The auction will begin at 1 pm.
For additional information, www.woodstockart.org or 845-679-2940 and 845-679-7608 or www.jamescoxgallery.com.
