Print of Edward Weston’s ‘Shell’ may bring $7,000

MONROVIA, Calif. – John Moran’s October 24th California and American Fine Art auction is on track to feature just over 200 works of fine art. Examples from American artists, including Edward Weston, Guy Rose, Phil Dike, George Benjamin Luks, Franz A. Bischoff, Joseph Morris Raphael, William Clapp, Edgar Payne, Emil J. Kosa Jr., and many others. 

The auction will begin at 6 p.m. Pacific time. Bidding for this auction will be available in person, via telephone, absentee, and online through the Liveauctioneers and Auctionzip/Invaluable platforms.

Moran’s is pleased to be able to offer collectors a small selection of important American photographs, such as Edward Weston’s (1886-1958 Carmel, Ca) “Shell”. The black and white silver gelatin print is an impression by the influential artist’s youngest son, Cole. The image depicts a nautilus shell in sharp focus. The shell is balancing on its side against an inky black backdrop.The photograph dates to 1927. The printing took place between 1975 and 1985. The work's estimate is $5,000 to $7,000.

Works by important California impressionists tend to dominate the offerings at Moran’s flagship spring and fall art auctions; one work in particular by Hollywood, CA artist Edgar Alwin Payne (1883-1947) is earing interest ahead of the sale. “Glacier”, the work depicts the Palisade Glacier in the Sierra Nevada and bears an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000. Maynard Dixon’s “Inyo Mountains – Evening”, will make its way to the block with a $20,000 to $30,000 pre-sale estimate. A smaller example, the work is one of a number of paintings by the artist under different lighting conditions on the range. In this example the light casts the mountains in an orange and buttery yellow glow, which contrasts with the purplish-gray shadows in the crevices of the mountain face.

Another fine impressionist compostion by Mischa Askenazy, echoes early influence of Japanese prints and aesthetics on the developing impressionist movement. Askenazy positions a seated woman in a kimono reviewing prints of Kabuki theater actors before a folding screen..A soft, somewhat muted palette, the work, “Woman Looking at Woodblock Prints” may bring between $7,000 and $9,000.

An exceptionally large landscape depicting Grand Lake in Colorado in the manner of Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902 New York, NY), should prove an interesting dark horse highlight. The expansive work measures 60’’ x 93’’ with Indians and horses in the foreground in a minute scale against the backdrop of a lush riparian landscape by massive snow-capped peaks ($60,000 to $90,000)

A number of works by important early 20th century women artists; one figural work by Los Angeles-based artist Donna Schuster (1883-1953) may perform quite well at the block. The charming painting depicts a woman in a ruby red dress lounging in a patio chair; the light reflecting off the smock casts her face in a rosy glow, and contrasts with the vegetation flanking her ($10,000 to $15,000).

Another Los Angeles-based artist, Mabel Alvarez, is on offer with a partially nude seated woman deeply engrossed in a book. The figure’s copper red hair and the Persian green wall behind her create a dynamic, captivating composition. The estimate is $10,000 to $15,000. Anne Estelle Rice’s (1879-1959 Philadelphia, PA) depiction of French bathers at the Brittany seaside offers a colorful window into early French culture. The painting may earn $20,000 to $30,000.

Moran's is offering a dog sledding-themed work by well-known itinerant Alaskan painter Theodore Roosevelt Lambert (1905-1960). In March, Lambert’s “Arctic Night Dog Team” achieved a $39,650 price realized. In this sale, "Resting in Silence”, depicts an idle dog sled team before a snow-covered cabin. The thoughtful painterly composition is a wonderful example of the artist’s focus, Especialy his focus on his Alaskan surroundings and attention. “Resting in Silence” is expected to hammer between $15,000 and $20,000.

A collection of modernist works by Los Angeles-based painter Ben Abril (1923-1995) is on offer. This includies “Grand Central Public Market on Hill Street Between 3rd and 4th Street, Los Angeles, California." It is, a sweeping view of downtown Los Angeles circa 1939. The large-scale painting is one of five works by the artist in the sale. The painting possibly may hammer for between $8,000 and $12,000 (PHOTO 6).

Other selections by Abril involve depictions of iconic Los Angeles locales such as Bunker Hill and Angels Flight. A handful of Abril’s paintings from the same private collection are part of Moran’s November 15th Modern and Contemporary Design session. Contemporary Montana landscape painter Clyde Aspevig (b. 1951 Bozeman, MT) is represented in Moran’s October sale with two works, including a stunning Carmel, CA seascape. “Surf at Pt. Lobos”, a highly detailed composition. It depicts churning waves along the rocky coastline. The painting may bring $12,000 to $18,000. “Shadow Land” is coming before bidders. It is a large-scale Zion Park, Utah red-rock landscape. It bears an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000.

For more information, visit www.johnmoran.com, email info@johnmoran.com or call 626-793-1833.