Prints, Photos, & Paintings Coming up at Skinner

A highlight of the Fine Prints auction is Helen Frankenthaler’s Drawing on Woodblock Proof I (lot 79, estimated between $50,000 and $60,000), which uses one block from Frankenthaler’s four-block Essence Mulberry. The Essence Mulberry series wasinspired by the observation of a mulberry tree, laden with fruit, growing outside the studio of Frankenthaler’s publisher, Kenneth Tyler. The resplendent tree reminded her of an exhibition of fifteenth century woodcuts shown at the Metropolitan Museum. The faded palette of those much older works proved an enduring source of inspiration.

Several works by Andy Warhol will be offered including Liz from an edition of 300 published by the Leo Castelli Gallery, New York in 1964 (lot 201, $7,000 to $9,000), and Northwest Coast Mask from an edition of 250 published by Gaultney, Klineman Art in 1986 (lot 204, $10,000 to $15,000). The iconic “Campbell’s Soup Can” makes an appearance on a shopping bag in Campbell’s Soup Can on Shopping Bag (Tomato soup) printed by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston in 1966 (lot 202, $3,000 to $4,000).

Chagall lithographs include Le bouquet de l’artiste from an edition of 75 (Mourlot, 410) from 1964 (lot 57, $7,000 to $9,000), Le couple devant l’arbre from an edition of 40 (Mourlot, 292) from 1960 (lot 56, $4,000 to $6,000), and four others. Rembrandt’s etching entitled The White Negress circa 1630 (lot 162, $1,000 to $1,500), Dürer’s The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels from 1518 (lot 74, $1,500 to $2,000), and William Blake’s illustration from The Book of Job: There Were not Found Women Fair as the Daughters of Job (lot 29, $1,200 to $1,800) will also be offered.

Photographs include works by Adams, Edgerton, Siskind, Winogrand, and others. Aaron Siskind’s Suite of 10 Photographs from the series PLEASURES AND TERRORS OF LEVITATION will be offered (lot 248, $10,000 to $15,000), along with classic images from Ansel Adams (lots 222 & 223), and a collection of six Garry Winogrand photographs, including Central Park Zoo (1967), Coney Island, New York (1952), and others (lot 261, $3,000 to $5,000).

Fine Paintings

Alexander Max Koester’s Children and Geese in a Lakeside Meadow (lot 538, $50,000 to $70,000) presents a charming and beautifully rendered pastoral scene. Works by John Joseph Enneking include Peaches Spilling from an Overturned Basket (lot 383, $10,000 to $15,000) and Storm in the Adirondacks (lot 397, $4,000 to $6,000). Two A.T. Hibbard works, Maple Sugaring (lot 448, $5,000 to $7,000) and Docked in Rockport (lot 485, $10,000 to $15,000), and a charming landscape by Charles Daubigny, Untitled (La vallée de l’Oise) (lot 335, $7,000 to $9,000) will also be offered.

Featured modern and contemporary works include St. Tropez by Francis Picabia (lot 601, $50,000 to $70,000), Untitled (Red Nucleus) by Alexander Calder (lot 646, $25,000 to $35,000), Phenomena Broken Prism Finder by gestural artist Paul Jenkins (lot 648, $20,000 to $30,000), and a group of works by Lynda Benglis (lots 652 to 654; 662 & 665).

The enigmatic St. Tropez, circa 1937-1939, was created while Picabia was working in Southern France. It demonstrates the artist’s ever-changing approach to various painting techniques and materials. In the rolling surf and broad sky of the image, observers will notice a strong crackle-pattern that displays a multi-color ground: a prime example of the type of reworking and over-painting for which Picabia was known, and, indeed an earlier composition, probably from the late 1920s lies underneath the visible work.

A group of works by Lynda Benglis include 19th Century Blush (lot 652, $4,000 to $6,000), executed inpigmented encaustic wax on ceramic, and Left and Right Hands #4 (lot 662, $3,000 to $5,000), executed in egg tempera and gold leaf. Sculptural pieces by Benglis include an untitled work ofpigmented translucent abaca paper laminate and steel wire (lot 653, $800 to $1,200), and a colorful glazed ceramic work (lot 654, $800 to $1,200).

Fine Sculpture

An impressive pair of bronze Great Danes by Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington (lot 551, $125,000 to $175,000) will be offered. These magnificent sculptures portray two Great Danes in very different attitudes and demeanors. Huntington was known for her sculpture of animals, and she created a number of Great Danes throughout her career, both in stone and in bronze.

Previews, Catalogue and Bidding

Previews for the auction will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., and Thursday, January 31, 2013, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., and Friday, February 1, 2013, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Department Director, Robin Starr, will offer a gallery walk of selected works on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 5:30 pm. RSVP to 508-970-3240.

Illustrated catalogue #2635B is available from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive! Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/skinnerauctions or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Skinner-Inc-Department-of-American-and-European-Paintings-and-Prints/126191337613.

About Skinner

Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.

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