TAMPA, FLA. — Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney’s bronze “Arlington Fountain” from her studio garden consigned by her heirs sold at the opening bid of $200,000 for a total of $250,000, including buyer’s premium, on July 22 at Richard Stedman Estate Services’ summer auction of the Vanderbilt Gardens and archive. The bronze nude male garden sculpture, approximately 4 feet by 4 feet, is one of the most iconic garden statues in America and the centerpiece of the studio and grounds, widely illustrated and celebrated. Three nude males support a garland-rimmed bowl, stylized floral banded basin, exhibiting lots of verdigris outdoor garden patina. Simulcast online from Tampa Bay on LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable with additions from eight estates, the sale surpassed the record set by the auction house for her “Shepherd” sculpture at $137,500 in January. More highlights of this sale to come later.