Leslie Hindman Auctioneers' May fine art sales featured highlights from numerous estates, which included three of the top-selling lots by Rosemarie Trockel, Henri Le Sidaner and Thomas Hart Benton. The May 23 and 24 Post War and Contemporary Art, Fine Prints and American and European Art auctions realized over 4.6 million, with nearly 25 percent of lots sold selling above high estimates.
Top selling lots in the May 24 American and European Art auction agreed with the current uptick the Impressionist and Modern market has shown so far in 2017. Offered from an estate in St. Louis, Mo., was a Thomas Hart Benton still life from 1962 with a presale estimate of $100,000-$200,000. With numerous bidders participating via phone, three bidders emerged who actively bid until the painting sold for $455,000. The winning bidder was from the Midwest, competing against bidders in California and New York.
"Since the Benton still life came from a private collection in Missouri, it drew additional interest being offered from the artist's home state," said Kara Kelpe, business development manager. "And we're pleased to see it return to Missouri."
From another Missouri estate, Henri Le Sidaner's “Vieilles maisons à Chartres,” 1921, estimated at $200,000-$400,000, realized $413,000, selling to a buyer in London.
Other top results included the cover lot, Jules Breton's “Brittany Girl at Well,” circa 1870. Fresh to market from a private collection, it sold for $161,000, well above its presale estimate of $20,000-$40,000. Jean Dufy's “Nature morte au bouquet” sold for $112,500 against an estimate of $50,000-$70,000.
Included in the May 23 Post War and Contemporary Art auction was a Rosemarie Trockel, “o.T. (Pro),” 1986, offered from a Chicago, Ill., estate. From the artist's Knit Painting series, it sold for $389,000 against a presale estimate of $300,000-$500,000.
Several examples far exceeded expectations and estimates, such as Richard Lin's “Composition-Three Circles I,” 1960, which sold for $151,400 against a $50,000-$70,000 presale estimate to a buyer in London.
"Collectors of Lin, mainly in Asia and London, are very serious about repatriating the artist's paintings," said head of sale Zachary Wirsum. "The painting sold is an early example from when Lin started showing with Gimpel Fils in London, which contributed to its high price realized."
Additional highlights from the Postwar and Contemporary Art auction included “High Snow-Low Sun A,” 1961, from Theodoros Stamos' High Snow-Low Sun series, which sold for $197,000 (est. $60,000-$80,000), and Sam Gilliam's “Butterflies Are,” 1976, which sold for $137,000 (est. $80,000-$120,000).
Two Andy Warhols from his Cowboys and Indians series were offered in the afternoon Fine Prints sale on May 23. The portraits of John Wayne and Annie Oakley are two of ten works from the series that was printed in 1986 and is recognized as one of Warhol's last before his death in 1987. The portrait of John Wayne was estimated at $30,000-$40,000 and sold for $62,500. The portrait of Annie Oakley was estimated at $20,000-$30,000 and sold for $40,000.
Additional results from the sales can be found by visiting www.lesliehindman.com.