An American Art Auction at Sotheby's Today
So maybe we've gone completely MAD here at MAO, or maybe the effects of the Contemporary Art Cool-Aid we were drinking last week at the Armory show finally wore off.. but some of these American Art Auction pre-sale price estimates at todays Sotheby's auction look very low compared to recent absurd Contemporary Art prices.
After going weeks at only seeing still wet new paintings by 25 year old MFA grads being sold by trendy art dealers named Zach or Oliver over the local taxi garages of Chelsea for $30,000, we were a little shocked by the low estimates during this auction preview.
The auction is today at 2pm, at Sothebys, and they have some real gems at very reasonable estimates. Take a look at these 2 examples.
Lot 14. Milton Avery, 1885-1965, PORTRAIT OF JANE KOOTZ 1944, 24 x 18 inches, Oil on Canvas Board, $ 10,000—15,000 USD (Photo #1)
Lot 19. THOMAS HART BENTON 1889-1975, JOURNEY'S END, 8 x 10 inches, Oil on Canvas Board, $ 20,000—30,000 USD (Photo #2)
This Southey's auction also includes a cool Marsden Hartley drawing for $4,000 to 6,000, a beautiful Paul Cadmus drawing for $6,000 to 9,000, and then there's even some amazing Hudson River School paintings (Just one example by Sanford Gifford) with estimates of $25,000 to $45,000.. seems like good relative value.. no?
But then again, who'd ever want one of these old dead artist works, when you could buy a big editioned photo, numbered 1 of 6, by Candida Hofer for twice the money!! Crazy...NO?
Oh.. and by the way.. for those still completely addicted to over priced Contemporary Art, there's this cool new Pictures of Pigment Series by Vik Muniz, After Cezanne print now available from the Lambert Collection for sale for only 2,500 Euro's. Very nice.. we at MAO already bought one... And a big MAO thanks to new blogger David Greenblatt for pointing this sweet deal out.
That's what I've been saying. I don't understand why you can still find say a signed edition by Marcel Duchamp or Picasso or any number of VERY important artists for a fraction of the price of a contemporary photographer churning out editions on a regular basis.
I worry that this is all fashion and when I'm old and creaky no one will be paying top dollar for my outdated fashions. Oh well. Maybe I'll have one or two gems that keep my portfolio afloat.
I was finally able to order one of those Sarah Pickerings. They're back in stock. Thanks MAO.
http://mocp.org/shop/home.php?cat=248
Posted by: Art Brute | March 08, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Hey, I don't have time for this today, but now I can't stop.... Even the Bierstadts seem low. Now a cheap NYC condo to go with it.
Posted by: mark | March 08, 2007 at 01:17 PM
Will you stop saying "Over Chelsea Taxi Garages" already. You're starting to give me a complex!
Posted by: Kenny T | March 08, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Geeeeze KennyT...
NO WAY!!
We've got to get our last few shots in before you guys either move to some new swanky gallery space..
... or the when damn building falls down!
But, we're not sure which will happen first!!
I heard.. Tyler's betting on the building falling down first..
Posted by: Mike | March 09, 2007 at 08:16 AM
First, Tyler's gotta find someone to take the other side of that bet. I've called several bookies in Jersey City and they won't even touch that one!
Posted by: Kenny T | March 09, 2007 at 11:11 AM
Very informative site. Will drop in regularly. I'd like to add you to my links if that's okay.
Posted by: artpup | March 11, 2007 at 09:47 PM
Thanks for the read. I agree with the points you made. http://www.rapidmediafire.com also has peoples thoughts on the matter.
Posted by: Liza | July 21, 2010 at 03:29 PM