Freeman's Modern & Contemporary Art Auction Exceeds $2M
(Philadelphia, PA) May 15 - "Today's auction was another success for Freeman's with an auction total of $2,165,500," Anne Henry, Vice President of Modern & Contemporary art at Freeman's said, "We exceeded our expectations with tremendous prices achieved for the Richard Scrushy Collection, and many Philadelphia artists, especially Bo Bartlett."
The day was marked by many achievements, the first of which was the Richard Scrushy Collection, being sold to benefit HealthSouth shareholders. John Sommerville, attorney for the HealthSouth shareholders commented, "First and foremost, we are delighted with the results. When we received the art, the provenance and history had been removed, and there was a great deal of work that was done to authenticate it. We could not have achieved a fraction of the prices had it not been for Freeman's authenticating the pieces and guiding us through the process." Highlights from the Scrushy collection included, Marc Chagall's "Lechelle au Ciel"which realized $181,000 (est. $50/70,000), Picasso's "Portrait de Femme de Profil" which sold for $97,000 (est. $50/80,000), and Dali's "Paradiso" which realized $73,000 (est. $40/60,000).
Following the success of the Scrushy collection auction records were set for a number of artists. "The room was packed with bidders clamoring for works of art,especially those by Philadelphia artists. It was terrific to help establish strong secondary market values for those who have traditionally been collected extensively through gallery representation," Henry said. 50 works by Bo Bartlett achieved $323,735, and lot 207, "Unity" realized $52,000 and exceeded his previous auction record (formerly achieved at Freeman's in 2007). In addition to Bo Bartlett, auction records were set for many artists, including Warren Rohrer, Jimmy Leuders, and Lynn Snyder from Philadelphia.
"This auction was a terrific success; we know that collectors, consignors, and the many living artists whose works were represented here today are happy. We were delighted to be the hub for such enthusiasm," Aimee Pflieger, Modern & Contemporary Art Associate Specialist said.
Upcoming: Freeman's hosts Fine English & Continental Furniture, Silver & Decorative Arts on May 25 & 26; and Oriental Rugs & Carpets on May 27; Fine American & European Paintings & Sculpture on June 19; Fine Jewelry & Watches on June 20.
AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Lot 25??MARC CHAGALL, (FRENCH/RUSSIAN 1887-1985), LECHELLE AU CIEL
Sold for $181,000
Lot 7??PABLO PICASSO, (SPANISH 1881-1973), PORTRAIT DE FEMME DE PROFIL
Sold for $97,000
Lot 18??SALVADOR DALI, (SPANISH 1904-1989), PARADISO??Sold for $73,000
Lot 124??CARL ANDRE, (AMERICAN B. 1935), ONE GRAND PIECE??Sold for $79,000
Lot 131??HELEN FRANKENTHALER, (AMERICAN B.1928), UNTITLED??Sold for $55,000
Lot 207??BO BARTLETT, (AMERICAN B. 1955), UNITY??Sold for $52,000
Lot 201??BO BARTLETT, (AMERICAN B. 1955), STUDY FOR LIFEBOAT??Sold for $31,000
Lot 241??ELIZABETH OSBORNE, (AMERICAN B. 1936), SOUTHWIND??Sold for $22,500
Lot 141??ALEX KATZ, (AMERICAN B. 1927), ORANGE HAT FROM ALEX AND ADA, THE 1960S TO THE 1980S??Sold for $22,500
Lot 181??SCOTT PRIOR, (AMERICAN B. 1949), AN ARTISTS WINDOWSILL??Sold for $21,250
About Freeman's
Founded in 1805, Samuel T. Freeman & Co has upheld an exemplary role as America's oldest auction house. Located on Chestnut Street, Freeman's offers over 30 auctions a year in categories including: American Furniture, Decorative & Folk Arts, English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Fine American & European Paintings & Sculpture, Modern and Contemporary Art, Rare Books, Fine Prints, Oriental Rugs, Fine Jewelry & Watches, Pop Culture and 20th / 21st Century Design. Freeman's offers a full range of appraisal services from insurance, probate, family division and charitable contribution to inventory and insurance loss. For more information, visit www.freemansauction.com or contact 267.414.1240.
Inquiries: Zoe Hillenmeyer | ZHillenmeyer@freemansauction.com | 215.385.1243
The day was marked by many achievements, the first of which was the Richard Scrushy Collection, being sold to benefit HealthSouth shareholders. John Sommerville, attorney for the HealthSouth shareholders commented, "First and foremost, we are delighted with the results. When we received the art, the provenance and history had been removed, and there was a great deal of work that was done to authenticate it. We could not have achieved a fraction of the prices had it not been for Freeman's authenticating the pieces and guiding us through the process." Highlights from the Scrushy collection included, Marc Chagall's "Lechelle au Ciel"which realized $181,000 (est. $50/70,000), Picasso's "Portrait de Femme de Profil" which sold for $97,000 (est. $50/80,000), and Dali's "Paradiso" which realized $73,000 (est. $40/60,000).
Following the success of the Scrushy collection auction records were set for a number of artists. "The room was packed with bidders clamoring for works of art,especially those by Philadelphia artists. It was terrific to help establish strong secondary market values for those who have traditionally been collected extensively through gallery representation," Henry said. 50 works by Bo Bartlett achieved $323,735, and lot 207, "Unity" realized $52,000 and exceeded his previous auction record (formerly achieved at Freeman's in 2007). In addition to Bo Bartlett, auction records were set for many artists, including Warren Rohrer, Jimmy Leuders, and Lynn Snyder from Philadelphia.
"This auction was a terrific success; we know that collectors, consignors, and the many living artists whose works were represented here today are happy. We were delighted to be the hub for such enthusiasm," Aimee Pflieger, Modern & Contemporary Art Associate Specialist said.
Upcoming: Freeman's hosts Fine English & Continental Furniture, Silver & Decorative Arts on May 25 & 26; and Oriental Rugs & Carpets on May 27; Fine American & European Paintings & Sculpture on June 19; Fine Jewelry & Watches on June 20.
AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Lot 25??MARC CHAGALL, (FRENCH/RUSSIAN 1887-1985), LECHELLE AU CIEL
Sold for $181,000
Lot 7??PABLO PICASSO, (SPANISH 1881-1973), PORTRAIT DE FEMME DE PROFIL
Sold for $97,000
Lot 18??SALVADOR DALI, (SPANISH 1904-1989), PARADISO??Sold for $73,000
Lot 124??CARL ANDRE, (AMERICAN B. 1935), ONE GRAND PIECE??Sold for $79,000
Lot 131??HELEN FRANKENTHALER, (AMERICAN B.1928), UNTITLED??Sold for $55,000
Lot 207??BO BARTLETT, (AMERICAN B. 1955), UNITY??Sold for $52,000
Lot 201??BO BARTLETT, (AMERICAN B. 1955), STUDY FOR LIFEBOAT??Sold for $31,000
Lot 241??ELIZABETH OSBORNE, (AMERICAN B. 1936), SOUTHWIND??Sold for $22,500
Lot 141??ALEX KATZ, (AMERICAN B. 1927), ORANGE HAT FROM ALEX AND ADA, THE 1960S TO THE 1980S??Sold for $22,500
Lot 181??SCOTT PRIOR, (AMERICAN B. 1949), AN ARTISTS WINDOWSILL??Sold for $21,250
About Freeman's
Founded in 1805, Samuel T. Freeman & Co has upheld an exemplary role as America's oldest auction house. Located on Chestnut Street, Freeman's offers over 30 auctions a year in categories including: American Furniture, Decorative & Folk Arts, English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Fine American & European Paintings & Sculpture, Modern and Contemporary Art, Rare Books, Fine Prints, Oriental Rugs, Fine Jewelry & Watches, Pop Culture and 20th / 21st Century Design. Freeman's offers a full range of appraisal services from insurance, probate, family division and charitable contribution to inventory and insurance loss. For more information, visit www.freemansauction.com or contact 267.414.1240.
Inquiries: Zoe Hillenmeyer | ZHillenmeyer@freemansauction.com | 215.385.1243
