Trading Spaces

Freeman’s welcomes the return of its signature American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists auction this December in its brand-new flagship location

Philadelphia-based Freeman’s auction house has roots firmly planted in the Pennsylvania Impressionism movement, which is reflected in its highly successful American Art & Pennsylvania

Impressionists auction.the December 8 rendition of the sale promises the same quality and selection of works that this signature auction is known for, and for the first time the sale will take place in Freeman’s new flagship location at 2400 Market Street.

“It’s a big move for us, but we’ll be moving into a much more modern salesroom and I think the works we’ll be presenting are pretty spectacular,” says Alasdair Nichol, chairman and director of fine art at Freeman’s.

Among the works being offered is a 1929 oil by Daniel Garber titled

estimated at $200,000 to $300,000.

“I think one of the stars of the show is the Daniel Garber,” comments Nichol. “we’re also seeing a lot of women artists in the sale and, of course, it wouldn’t be the [American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists sale] without Fern Coppedge.”

A prime example of Coppedge’s work that will be in the sale is December Sunshine, which has a presale estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. Other women artists of note included in the sale

are Mary Cassatt, whose 1901 pastel counterproof Mother Combing Sarah’s Hair (No. 2) is estimated at $80,000 to $120,000; and Mary Elizabeth Price, whose Hollyhocks and Delphinium Screen from 1925 has a presale estimate of $50,000 to $80,000.Work by Sarah Paxton Ball Dodson will also be up for auction.

“You rarely see her paintings,” says Nichol. “i think only two have turned up in auctions before, so we are delighted. I think she’s been overlooked, so to suddenly have her work show up out of the blue is incredible.”

Another surprise to hit the salesroom is Incense-breathing Mor. – Gray’s Elegy by Louis Rémy Mignot (est. $40/60,000). “It’s one he did following his trip to Ecuador with Church and another previously undiscovered one,” says Nichol. “it’s a really beautiful painting and I’m surprised to have it coming in from Rome.”

Other highlights of the December sale include a group of 23 watercolor city scenes by Romare Bearden from the 1980 film Gloria; a work by Norman Rockwell; Autumn by Peter Blume (est. $60/100,000); and “all the usual names one might expect” from an American impressionist sale.

“It’s shaping up really nicely,” says Nichol. “And we’re looking forward to seeing everything in a new environment.”

Charles Demuth (1883-1935), Cyclamen, 1918. Watercolor and graphite on paper, 14 x 10 in., signed and dated: ‘C. Demuth – 1918-‘. Estimate: $70/100,000

Right: Mary Elizabeth Price (1877-1965), Hollyhocks and Delphinium Screen, ca. 1925. Oil with gold and silver leaf on Masonite, 72 x 36 x 15 in., signed in a cartouche bottom right: ‘M. E PRICE.’ Estimate: $50/80,000 Daniel Garber (1880-1958), By the River, 1929. Oil on canvas, 28 x 30 in., signed bottom center: ‘Daniel Garber’. Estimate: $200/300,000

Far right: Peter Blume (1906-1992), Autumn. Oil on canvas, 45¼ x 50 in., signed and dated bottom right: ‘Peter Blume/1984’. Estimate: $60/100,000

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), Mother Combing Sarah’s Hair (No. 2), ca. 1901. Pastel counterproof on Japan paper, 18¼ x 23/ in., signed in reverse bottom right. Estimate: $80/120,000

Louis Rémy Mignot (18311870), Incensebreathing Mor. - Gray’s Elegy (On the Guayaquil River). Oil on canvas, 16 x 22 in., signed and dated with artist’s monogram bottom right: ‘M.|68’. Estimate: $40/60,000

Fern Isabel Coppedge (1883-1951), December Sunshine. Oil on canvas, 18 x 20 in., signed bottom center: ‘Fern I. Coppedge’. Estimate: $30/50,000