Bexley Public Radio Foundation’s recognition of Black History Month was represented by its coverage of an important auction sale in New York City of major works of art by African-American artists. The works offered for sale come from notable collections and estates. Selected lots were previewed on the WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM regular auction market coverage.
Works by such important American masters as Jacob Lawrence and Hartwell Yeargans were offered for sale on the auction block. Other important artists included Aaron Douglas, Elizabeth Catlett, Faith Ringgold, Hale Woodruff and Henry Ossawa Tanner.
The auction sale was conducted Tuesday, February 19 at the Swann Galleries in 104 East 21st Street in Manhattan and was entitled African-American Fine Art, Sale No 2136. This is the third sale of African-American art conducted at Swann Galleries and represents an important institutional commitment to making a market for important work by African-American artists. The work offered for sale includes pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries that are paintings, prints, drawings, collages and sculpture.
In the month prior to the auction, Bexley Public Radio Foundation’s WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM featured the sale prominently in its schedule of auctions. Select lots were featured in the radio station’s regular auction news coverage.
One very important piece scheduled to be sold was the series Life of Toussaint L’Overture by Jacob Lawrence. The series was identified by Swann Galleries as Lot 230. This important work was offered from the collection of Health Legacy of Cleveland, Inc. Proceeds from its sale were dedicated to provide scholarships for African-American students from the Cleveland area to attend medical and dental school.
Listeners interested in viewing the works sold at this auction can view the sale catalog online at the Swann Galleries website.
For the eighteen lots covered by WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, the sale results were mixed. Four lots won hammer prices above the pre-auction estimates. Eight lots received prices below the estimates. None of the hammer prices was within the pre-auction estimates. Six items were withdrawn from the sale.
The withdrawn items included: Lot 230 “The Life of Toussaint L'Ouverture” series by Jacob Lawrence (pre-auction estimate of $100,000-150,000); Lot 83 a work by Allan R. Crite
”Holy Family”,
an offset lithograph of a brush and ink drawing (pre-auction estimate $2,000-3,000); Lot 87 titled Pourquoi by Robert Blackburn; Lot 90 Norman Lewis an
untitled yellow and green composition (pre-auction estimate $10,000-15,000); Lot 150 a sculpture by Elizabeth Catlett
titled “Sister” in green marble, (pre-auction estimate $150,000-200,000); and Lot 211 by Ernest Crichlow
Untitled (Girl and Boy Outside Church Doors) (pre-auction estimate $30,000-50,000). Also withdrawn were Lot 83 an offset lithograph by Allan R. Crite titled "
Holy Family."
All of the sale results including those lots not reported by WCRX-LP 102.1 FM are available on the Swann Galleries website.
Four artworks received hammer prices above the pre-auction estimates included:
Lot 71 Hughie Lee-Smith work that is untitled (Still Life with Green Cloth).The work is an oil on canvas completed in 1955.
The pre-auction estimate for this work was $12,000-18,000 . It received a selling price of $20,000.
Lot 93 Hale Woodruff (1900 - 1980)
a work titled “Celestial Gate”.
Oil on canvas, circa 1960. The work is illustrated in thepublications: Hale Woodruff 50 Years of His Art, The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, 1979, p. 38.
Pre-auction estimate was $40,000-60,000. Actual hammer price is $75,000.
Lot 119 Hartwell Yeargans (1915 - 2005)
This is a color woodcut on imitation Japan paper, called “Sunbathers” made in 1965. Pre-auction estimate was $1,500-2,500 and actual sellingprice is $3,000.
Lot 185 Allan Rohan Crite (1910 - 2007)
description of the work is Omolangidi Wooden Doll, Nigeria. The work is an offset color lithograph on thin wove paper, 1977. the Americas."
Estimate $1,000-1,500. Actual sale price is $1,600.
Eight lots were sold below their pre-auction estimates:
Lot 72 by Margaret Burroughs (1917 - )
entitled “Black Venus.” Estimate $1,000-1,500. Actual sale price $800.
Lot 76 Untitled (Abstract Still Life). By Robert Blackburn (1920 - 2003)
Color crayons on wove paper, circa 1955-1960
Estimate $2,000-3,000. Actual price $1,500.
Lot 146 Ernie Barnes (1938 - )
”Pool Hall.”
Oil on canvas, circa 1970.
Barnes played professional football in the NFL in the early 1960s before beginning a celebrated career as a figurative painter and graphic artist.
Estimate $20,000-30,000. Actual sale price $16,000.
Lot 182 Jacob Lawrence (1917 - 2000)
The Swearing In.
Color screenprint on wove paper, 1977.
Lawrence was commissioned to commemorate the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in 1977 with other contemporary artists.
Estimate $4,000-6,000. Actual auction price $3,400.
Lot 190 Barbara Chase Riboud (1939 - )
Column and Fissure, No.1.
Charcoal on wove paper, 1978.
She is also known as the author of several historical novels, including the award-winning best seller Sally Hemings.
Pre-auction estimate $4,000-6,000. Actual sale price $2,600.
Lot 191 Barbara Chase Riboud (1939 - )
Poem Column: My Sun is Your Moon.
Charcoal and pencil on wove paper, 1978. Estimate $4,000-6,000. Hammer price $2,800.
Lot 199 Romare Bearden (1911 - 1988)
Autumn of the Rooster.
Color lithograph, 1983. Estimate $4,000-6,000. Actual sale price $3,600.
Lot 201 Jacob Lawrence (1917 - 2000)
No. 4, People in the Park.
Color screenprint on Somerset wove paper, 1983.
Estimate $3,000-5,000. Hammer price $1,700.
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Sunday, February 24, 2008
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