Shannon’s Spring Fine Art Auction on Thursday, May 2, 2019, is sure to attract an international audience with top lots by American, European, and Asian artists. The sale, which features nearly 250 lots, will consist of quality paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture. Online bidding will be facilitated by Invaluable.com.

Leading the American category is John F. Kensett’s The Coast Near Narragansett. This painting has been in a private collection for 30 years and is sure to generate excitement as Kensett’s views of Narragansett rarely come to market. Over 20 paintings from an important collection of the Hudson River School will be offered in ready to hang condition, beautifully framed and well-maintained. Paintings from this collection are by artists including William Trost Richards, William Sonntag, Sr., David Johnson, Worthington Whittredge, John Williamson, and many others.

A rare painting of a young woman in a field by Alexander Harrison leads the American Impressionist category. The painting has all the hallmarks of American ex-patriot art in subject, style, and composition. It is a masterpiece quality work by Harrison and was likely exhibited in Paris in 1891 among other notable exhibitions of the period. Other highlights in American Impressionism include a view of Old Lyme by William Chadwick, a view of Wall Street in Winter by Guy C. Wiggins, and a large format view of New Hope by contemporary American Impressionist Laurence A. Campbell and five paintings by New England Impressionist Eric Sloane. 

European Impressionism is also well represented in the sale led by a beautiful drawing of two dancers by Edgar Degas. In just a few lines, Degas was able to capture the gesture and expression of the dance depicted in his characteristic bird’s eye view. The top lot in the sale is a portrait of Julius Bard by German Impressionist artist Max Liebermann. Bard was Liebermann’s publisher and friend. This portrait was included in the 1911 exhibition of the Berlin Secession. It descended in Bard’s family and is being offered at auction for the first time. (est. $75,000-100,000). 

Other highlights in European art include paintings by Jean Dufy, Felix Ziem, Roland Strasser, Herman Corrodi, André Lhote, and more.

The Asian Art category is led by a contemporary sculpture by Taiwanese artist Li Chen. Harmonize without Compromise depicts a Buddha standing on a silver cloud – a classic motif in Asian art – made Contemporary with the addition of silver headphones. This highly approachable composition makes evident Chen’s appeal on the international market (est. $60,000-80,000). Other highlights in Asian art include two paintings by French/Vietnamese Impressionist Le Pho and a painting of Mothers with their Children by Chinese/Woodstock artist Hongnian Zhang.

Contemporary Art highlights include two large-format watercolors by American Realist Doug Brega, a three-dimensional composition of the Bronx Zoo by Larry Rivers, a watercolor by Jean Dubuffet, a large-format oil painting by Paul Jenkins and more!

An online catalog and a digital flipbook for this auction is available on shannons.com. Previews will be held daily, starting Monday, April 22, and continuing through Wednesday, May 1 (closed Sunday). Preview hours are 11 AM to 6 PM (ET), except on Saturday, April 27 when the preview will be from 10 AM to 3 PM. There will also be a preview on Thursday, May 2, the date of sale, from 12 PM until 5:30 PM. The auction will start promptly at 6 PM ET. Live, internet, phone, and absentee bidding will all be accepted. 

Shannon’s produces an extensive color catalog, which is available for sale on their website or by calling (203) 877-1711. A large, 8-page color brochure will be mailed to over 18,000 clients. To join the Shannon’s mailing list, email the gallery at info@shannons.com. 

Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. The next auction will be an Online Fine Art Auction on June 20, followed by another cataloged Fine Art Auction in October. To consign a single piece of artwork, an estate or a collection, call (203) 877-1711 or email info@shannons.com. 

To learn more about Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers and the Thursday, May 2 auction, visit www.shannons.com. Updates are posted frequently.