Freeman’s | Hindman is proud to present a selection of works from the Collection of Dr. Julian Katz and Dr. Sheila Moriber Katz, of Gladwyne, PA via a series of auctions throughout the Spring season.
Julian and Sheila met at the University of Chicago and received additional training at Duke, Yale, and Harvard before moving to Philadelphia in 1969. They were caring and compassionate individuals who adored their 2 children and 6 grandchildren, and both Julian and Sheila took interest in other fields than medicine. Art remained a unifying passion throughout their more than 50 years of marriage.
Julian was a leading academic gastroenterologist, author, and editor who was instrumental in defining the condition known today as lactose intolerance. During Vietnam, he joined the Navy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and upon arriving in Philadelphia, he started a solo gastroenterology practice that he eventually developed into one of the leading gastroenterology centers in the nation.
As a Professor at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and later Drexel University, he trained generations of medical students, residents, and fellows. A brilliant and compassionate clinician, when the population of his practice aged, Julian became board-certified in geriatrics as well. He also served as a member of the Philadelphia Board of Health.
Sheila was a celebrated pathologist, business owner, poet, educator, lecturer, and mentor, and the first to identify the lethal bacteria known to cause Legionnaires’ Disease, an experience she described as like “touching the sun.” She received countless awards for work within her field, published extensively, and obtained millions of dollars in research grants, eventually becoming Dean of the Hahnemann University School of Medicine.
A strong advocate for women in medicine, Sheila’s groundbreaking discoveries over her career also led to numerous other distinguished appointments including as Executive Director of the White House Medical Commission in 1999 under President Bill Clinton.
The fine art pieces included in Freeman’s | Hindman seires of Spring auctions represent work that Sheila and Julian collected throughout their lifetime and particularly enjoyed. Bold, enigmatic and cerebral, the works of Robert Rauschenberg, Will Barnett, Milton Avery and Purvis Young (among others), show the creative side of these eminent physicians and scientists, who always loved to learn and think. They also contribute to the lasting legacy of their keen eye for art.
Featured Lots Above:
Milton Avery (American, 1885-1965) - Draped Nude | Estimate $20,000 - $30,000, to be sold on June 2.
Milton Avery (American, 1885-1965) - White Vase | Estimate $50,000 - $80,000, to be sold on June 2.
Featured Lots Below:
Please note that a portion of the proceeds of each sale will go to the Julian and Sheila Katz Scholarship Fund at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.