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| William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) Rêverie sur le seuil oil on canvas 37 ¾ X 23 ¾ in. |
If you appreciate great 19th century art, then New York City has always been a great place to be in the spring. Both Christie's and Sotheby's auction houses hold their New York sales of this type of artwork each year right around the time the trees in Central Park are beginning to bloom. Though it was better when the the two houses held their auction previews concurrently, and viewers could visit both institutions in the same day, it is still a pretty exciting and inspiring time.
This year Christie's is holding its sale of 19th c. European Art at the end of April, nearly two weeks before Sotheby's hosts its sale of works from the same period. It is a case of the later show being worth the wait, because the upcoming sale at Christie's is, unfortunately, rather lackluster. Among the 70 lots are some really nice works, but there really is not anything particularly exciting up for bid. Familiar faces like Montague Dawson, Eugen von Blaas, Corot, and Cortès, are present, but the highlight would appear to be William Bouguereau's Rêverie sur le seuil, painted in 1893, when the artist was nearly 70 and no longer in his prime. Still, the previews are a great opportunity to see these pieces in person, before they re-enter a private collection, and I would encourage you to go if you are in the area.
Christie's sale of 19th Century European Art will take place on April 28th, at 2:00 PM EST. Previews will be held at the Christie's salesroom at 20 Rockefeller Plaza beginning April 25th. If you are unable to attend the previews, all lots in the sale are also available for viewing in the online catalog.
PREVIEW TIMES
April 25 – 10am - 5pm
April 26 – 10am - 5pm
April 27 – 1pm - 5pm
April 28 – 10am - 12pm
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| Charles Chaplin (1825-1891) Jeune fille aux seins nus oil on canvas 52 X 39 in. |
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| Frederick Arthur Bridgman (1847-1928) Women at the Fountain oil on canvas 29 X 25 in. |
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| Alberto Pasini (1826-1899) A Caravan on a Mountain Pass oil on panel 10 ¾ X 8 ½ in. |
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| Rudolph Ernst (1854-1932) An Afternoon Discussion oil on panel 19 ⅜ X 24 ⅛ in. |
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| George Elgar Hicks (1824-1914) The Return Home oil on canvas 20 ¼ X 26 ¼ in. |
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| Robert Fowler (1853-1926) The Dance of Salome oil on canvas 48 ⅝ X 72 ¾ in. |
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| Jehan Georges Vibert (1840-1902) Barbier ambulant, Espagne oil on canvas 36 X 28 in. |
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| Julien Dupré (1851-1910) Les vaches a l'Abreuvoir oil on canvas 21 ½ X 28 ¾ in. |
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| Elizabeth Jane Gardner Bouguereau (1837-1922) Le laborage Nivernais, le sombrage oil on canvas 25 ¾ X 51 in. |
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| Géza Vastagh (1866-1919) The Lion's Domain oil on canvas 48 X 65 in. |
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| Montague Dawson (1895-1973) The Relief Convoys Fight the Winter Gales off Malta oil on board 14 X 23 in. |
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| Montague Dawson (1895-1973) Engagement between Mediator and Three French and Two American Ships oil on canvas 20 X 30 in. |