Russian works topped Weschler’s American and European fine art auction on September 13, with strong international bidding pushing a couple works well above their presale estimates.
An oil on canvas by Oscar B. Rabin (b 1928) of a Russian cityscape with two moons was the top lot of the day, and once bidding began, the city scene quickly pushed past its presale estimate of $80/120,000 and sold to an overseas bidder for $146,750.
Other Russian offerings that met and exceeded expectations included two charcoal drawings by Vasily Sitnikov (1915‱987), “Head” and “Two Standing Nudes,” which realized $6,463 and $24,675, respectively, and a Russian Twentieth Century still life of a potted plant and pipe, which brought a surprising $75,250 against a $500/700 estimate.
Standouts among other European offerings included a portrait of a lady wearing a hat by Francois Martin-Kavel (French, 1861‱931), which brought $9,988; a bronze sculpture titled “L’Eleve” by Kees Verkade (Dutch, b 1941) that realized $4,465; and a Venetian scene by French artist Marc Aldine (1870‱956), “View of the Doge’s Palace and the Bacino di San Marco,” which sailed to $24,675. Selling just below estimate was an oil on panel by renowned Irish Modernist artist Jack Butler Yeats (1871‱957), “Street in Shadow,” which sold for $91,750.
Prominent American works of art were an oil on canvas mounted on board landscape by Max Weyl (1837‱914), “The Potomac Marshlands,” which fetched $7,637; a impressive oil on canvas by Phillip B. Hahs (1853‱882) of cattle grazing in a woodland clearing that brought $5,640; an oil on canvas board, “Head Waters of Panther River (Canadian Rockies),” by Belmore Browne (1880‱954) for $3,995; and a mixed media on paper by Jimmy Ernst (1920-1984) titled “Is the Storm Over?” that realized $4,230.
Prints included a lithograph in color by Bernard Buffet (French, 1928‱999), “New York VII” from “Album New York (Sorlier 59),” which sold for $2,820, and an etching by James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834‱903), “Billingsgate (Kennedy 47),” which brought $1,293.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium.
The next auction of American and European fine art will be December 6 with a consignment deadline of October 17. For information, 202-628-1281 or www.weschlers.com .
