Winslow Homer’s poem-inspired 1867 painting may command $600K
Artist Winslow Holmer and author Robert Burns may have a few things in common, but for bidders in Leslie Hindman’s Sept. 27-28 auction, one thing is just enough.
CHICAGO — The September fine art auctions at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers begin with an American and European Art auction September 27, followed by Post War and Contemporary Art and Fine Prints auctions on September 28. A unique painting by Winslow Homer is drawing much attention ahead of the sale.
On-site bidding at the Leslie Hindman Auctioneers gallery, telephone and absentee bids are accepted. Internet bidding is available at
LHLive.lesliehindman.com and Bidsquare.com. The auctions begin at 10 a.m. Central time each day, with the Fine Prints evening sale September 28 beginning at 3 p.m.
Winslow Homer Poetry-Inspired Art
Leading the American and European Art auction are paintings by important American artists, including Winslow Homer’s 1867 “Coming Through the Rye.” It will be offered from a private collection with an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000. The painting is one of two with the same title. The paintings date to 1867. The version in this sale is the more complete of the two. It is thus more likely the one appearing in early exhibitions. The other version is now in the permanent collection at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa.
The title “Coming Through the Rye” hails from a poem by Robert Burns. The poem describes a woman whose lover captures her while she is coming through a field of rye. But while Burns’ poem is somewhat bawdy, Homer piece is more protective. The woman holds her hands in a defensive posture, as if protecting her virginity. Her eyes are downcast, as if avoiding social contact. Nonetheless, the title makes explicit a romantic undercurrent to the painting, which was surely a large part of its appeal to 19th century viewers.
Bronze Dancer Eyeing $200K
Following the American and European Art auction will be the September 28 Post War and Contemporary Art auction and Fine Prints evening sale. Highlights of the Post War and Contemporary Art auction include a 1988 Fernando Botero bronze, “Woman Dancer.” It has a presale estimate of between $200,000 and $300,000 and will be offered from a private collection. Jean Dubuffet’s “Site avec 3 personnages” from the artist’s Psycho-sites series will be offered with a presale estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.
The Fine Prints evening auction includes a 1978 Joan Miro, Mambo, with a presale estimate of $30,000 ¬ 50,000, a 1959 Pablo Picasso, Femme Couchée et Homme à la Guitare, estimated at $20,000 ¬ 30,000 and a Henri Matisse, Odalisque au Coffret Rouge, estimated at $20,000 ¬ 30,000. Examples by Andy Warhol include Portraits of the Artists, 1967, ($20,000 ¬ 30,000) and Marilyn Monroe, 1967, ($50,000 ¬ 70,000). The Fine Prints sale includes a number of Wesselmann, Lichtenstein and Miro prints. Other highlights include prints of Barnett Newman, Joan Mitchell, Claes Oldenburg and Bridget Riley.
For more information, visit www.lesliehindman.com.
