Fine Art

Paintings

Lot 755
18th Century Northern European Portrait. Artist Unknown. (Northern European (?), 18th century). Portrait of a Young Boy. Oil on canvas. 26½ x 32". Framed to an overall size of 34¾ x 40". In fair to poor condition.

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request. This is a charming portrait of a very serious, obviously wealthy young man. We have not identified the order pinned so prominently to his coat, but anticipate our buyer will want to do so, as this is a very desirable piece.
Estimated Value $700-900.

Lot 756
A Lovely Small Icon from Old Russia; c. late 19th or early 20th century. This little gem of a painting depicts the archetypal "Maria Theou," Mary, Mother of God. Mary, crowned and nimbate, in richly embroidered veil of almost maroon hue, supports a tiny, rather adult-looking Christ child on one hand. Christ, also nimbate and crowned, dressed in green and red, has his right hand raised in blessing. Greek script in the green background, Russian along bottom border. Size: 7-1/4 x 5-3/4". Finely preserved and an entrancing little work of art.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 757
Alano, Ben (Filipino, 20th century). Filipino Thinker With Red Kerchief. Signed l/r: Ben Alano Manila. Oil on canvas. 20 x 24". Framed to an overall size of 26¼ x 30¼". In very good condition overall.

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.

Lot 758
Arno, Peter (1904-1968) At the age of 25, Peter Arno sold his first cartoon to a brand-new humor magazine -- The New Yorker. For the next 43 years, Arno's work helped to shape the urbane, witty image of the literary showcase. Playboys, flappers, middle-aged matrons and lecherous capitalists all felt the zing of Arno's sharp wit as he used his cartoons to highlight society's foibles and his heavy outlines, artful washes and potent captions influenced generations of cartoonists and illustrators.

Untitled Nude Charcoal and wash on textured paperboard. Mid 20th Century. Signed at left "Arno". Size: 19½ x 30". Matted and framed to 29 x 38½". Light surface dirt, overall (uniform) fading, small label on glass. Illustration is in very good condition, but poorly framed and conserved and would benefit from professional re-framing.

In this beautiful piece of mid-century cheesecake, the curves of the subject are enhanced by Arno's characteristic outline and wash technique. With a small smile and artless pose, our subject and Arno's style combine for a very unique work of art -- most of Arno's available work is in cartoon or illustration format.
Estimated Value $1,000-2,500.
From the collection of actress Constance Moore.

Wonderful 19th Century Italian Landscape!

Lot 759
Barncci Roma (?) (Italian, 19th century). At the Well. Signed l/r: Barncci Roma (?). Oil on canvas. 43½ x 26". Framed in an elaborate gilt frame for an overall size of 54½ x 37½". In good to very good condition overall.

Italy, the dream destination for 19th century artists of every caliber, inspired paintings of every type. As Italy was also one of the stops on a Grand Tour, there were plenty of European and American tourists and collectors interested in buying the work offered there -- art and commerce working in concert. This wonderful rustic scene would have appealed to many a visitor, as it captures an idealized countryside with graceful ruins in the background, and industrious but lively peasants.

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,000.

Lot 760
Chinese Reverse Painting on Glass. 19th century. In original frame with brass fitting. 13½ x 19½", framed to 16 x 22". Delicately rendered young man with book and lotus riding a horse with a dragon's head on a dark slate blue ground; the black border has blue and red decorations. A few minor scratches, otherwise fine condition.

A popular China Trade item, reverse paintings on glass were very popular throughout the 19th century in the Americas and Europe. Paintings such as the one offered here appealed to the Western desire for the exotic and unusual, and were highly sought after.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 761
Cooper, Abraham (British, 1787-1868). Mr. Stillwell on his Hunter. Oil on canvas. 36 x 28". Framed to an overall size of 39 x 31". In very good condition overall.

Provenance: W. Russell Button Gallery of Chicago, Illinois.

A similar painting by this artist appeared in Christie's June 5, 1987 auction of British and American Sporting Paintings. Cooper's equestrian portraits are outstanding examples of the genre and quite sought after.

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.

Lot 762
Folk Art Scenes. Lot of three oil paintings in varying conditions. Although the third piece is a bit more polished, the other two are wonderful examples of the folk art aesthetic which continues to be popular. All of the paintings could do with a cleaning, but their general condition is good to very good.
The first piece, oil on masonite (15 x 12"), is most in need of a cleaning but is presentable without it and very charming. Labeled on the back "June 1951 / Sunday on the Lake", the subject belies the date as a people skate merrily across a frozen lake in a snowy landscape. Signed "L Sinnicks". A few pea-sized area of paint loss.The varnish has yellowed and the piece would be easily re-framed.
Our second piece, oil on canvas (20 x 16"), would benefit from a minor cleaning but is currently suitable for display. A winter landscape with wagon and animal tracks leading to a red barn and the artist has done a wonderful job of capturing the odd colors snow reflects into the sky. Signed "Latimer".
The third selection, oil on canvas (12 x 24"), has a slightly more modern, finished look to it. Another winter rural scene, with a figure near an outbuilding, this painting is in a dark wood frame (27 x 15") perfectly suited to the scene. Signed but illegible.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 763
Heard, Joseph (British, 1799-1859). Frigate in Full Sail. Oil on canvas. 29½ x 20". Framed to an overall size of 31¾ x 22½". In very good condition overall.

Joseph Heard is believed to have been employed, at one point, by the East India Company as reflected by his travels to India, South Africa, and the Mediterranean. Several of his works appear in the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, specializing in marine art.

Provenance: W. Russell Button Gallery of Chicago, Illinois.

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.

Lot 764
Hotzendorf, Conrad von (Austrian, 1807-1869). Austrian Cottage in a Valley Before Mountains. Signed and dated l/l:Hotzendorf 1841. Oil on canvas. 15½ x 12". Framed for to an overall size of 21¾ x 17¾". In good condition overall.

Provenance: Superior Galleries, 1997

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request.
Estimated Value $700-900.

Original Saturday Evening Post Artwork!

Lot 765
Kauffmann, Robert C (American, 1873-?). First Day of School. Signed l/l: RC Kauffmann. Oil on canvas. 25¼ x 32¼". Framed to an overall size of 28¾ x 35¾". In good to very good condition overall.

Kauffmann's illustration, presented here in its original oil form, appeared as the cover of The Saturday Evening Post dated September 10, 1938 (a copy is included with this lot). Though the periodical was originally devised as a newspaper void of any illustration, when The Post was sold at the turn of the 19th century, it was redesigned as a journal focusing on business, public affairs, and romance, with a strong emphasis on illustration. The changes were clearly effective: just one year prior to Kauffmann's illustration appearing on the cover, The Post had achieved a circulation of 3 million readers.

The best known Saturday Evening Post artist is, of course, Norman Rockwell. Kauffmann and Rockwell share clear stylistic similarities -- the tug on the heartstrings is not maudlin, but is obvious. Appealing to the masses, the art from the Saturday Evening Post helped create an image of America and "home" that became part of popular culture and the national psyche. In times of national strife, as during World War II and the turbulent Vietnam years, this type of Americana enjoys a resurgence in popularity. The everyday events so beautifully portrayed in these old illustrations provoke an idealistic nostalgia which comforts and reminds one of home.

Typically Rockwell's original artworks sell for upwards of $50,000 and we are fortunate to offer this piece from one of Rockwell's respected colleagues.

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.

Lot 766
Men's Adventure Magazine Illustrations. Here we offer three original paintings created for men's adventure magazines. Includes: 1. "Jacket Drawing for 'Sunsmoke in Sunset Valley'". Watercolor on board. Measuring 15½ x 18". Artist's pencil notations in margin. Soiling and foxing, mostly in margins, board is buckled. 2. "A Young Couple Looking at the Moon Over the Edge of a Bridge". Signed, "Holm Gren" at the lower right. Watercolor collage on paper. Measuring 13¼ x 13¾". Water stained, one pinhole at upper center in margin, paper is buckled. 3. "Woman Gazing into the Blue Beyond". Watercolor and pastel collage on board. Measuring 16 x 19". Water stained at upper and left edges, margins are considerably soiled which is easily matted out. Overall, the group is in fair to good condition.

Colorfully capturing the essence of the 50s, this collection of illustrations features images of a classic cowboy, a sultry blonde, and young sweethearts. Outstanding graphic history.
Estimated Value $300-500.

Lot 767
Painting of a Young Man. Artist unknown. Oil on canvas, 8 x 11". Some loss of painted surface at top left corner, several small pinholes at edges, one scrape at left side of subject, a faint abrasion across the center of the portrait, tiny spots of paint loss at top and bottom edges, stretcher bar marks. Overall, fair to good condition.

A distinguished young man in early Victorian dress (probably 1840s) graces this ¾ length portrait. A rich red background and dark clothing accentuate the fine features of the subject and the gravity of his stance. A nice piece with unfortunate damage.
Estimated Value $100-UP.

Lot 768
Reinprecht, J.K (early 19th century?). Still Life with Watermelon and Tea Kettle. Signed l/r: Reinprecht J.K. Oil on panel. 6¼ x 4¾". Framed to an overall size of 16¼ x 14¾". In very good condition overall.

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request.
Estimated Value $350-500.

Lot 769
Reinprecht, J.K (early 19th century). Still Life with Cloisonné Pitcher and Platter of Fruits. Signed l/c: Reinprecht J.K. Oil on paperboard. 7¼ x 5¼". Framed to an overall size of 12½ x 11". In very good condition overall.

Comprehensive condition reports available upon request.
Estimated Value $300-500.

Lot 770
Russian Icon of St. Nicholas, "The Wonder Worker;" 19th century, perhaps early. Painted and gilt portrait of the popular saint on thick wooden panel, with typical slight curve to the panel. He stands frontal, wearing chasuble and dalmatia, holding the Gospels with one hand, the other raised in benediction. Flanking on either side are small round medallions with busts Christ and the Virgin. Some minor restoration to one hand and some spots to the nimbus, otherwise the rich warm tones of the old varnish, the gilding, the subdued greens and rich reds, provide a jewel-like air to this classic artifact of old Russian heritage. Size: 8-1/8 x 6-1/4".
Estimated Value $250-450.