American Art Sale Tops $3.4 Million, A New Highpoint for Freeman 's Fine Art Sales

Freeman 's auction room was abuzz for the December 7 American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionist sale. The 164 lot auction drew the interest of private collectors and museums, alike, and brought $3.4 million. It was one of the highest totals achieved for a various-owner fine art auction in years and the most successful American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionist auction since its inception 18 months ago. Works by N.C. Wyeth, Daniel Garber, and George William Sotter headlined the auction, with six of the seven top lots sold to private collectors. Wyeth 's “I Stood Like One Thunderstruck, or As If I Had Seen an Apparition” (pictured top left) was the highlight of the day and fetched $435,750.“A year and half ago, we divided our fine art auctions into American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists, European Art & Old Masters, and Modern & Contemporary Art. I believe the success of Sunday 's auction is a testament to that decision. It also confirms our position as the leading auction house for works by the Pennsylvania Impressionists and reflects the current health of the market for American Art of quality. I look forward to a robust European Art & Old Masters sale in January 2015,” said Vice Chairman Alasdair Nichol.Two of the high points from the sale were N.C. Wyeth paintings sold by the Wilmington Institute Library for the benefit of the institution. “I Stood Like One Thunderstruck, Or As If I Had Seen an Apparition” tripled its low estimate of $150,000 to sell for $435,750 and “And No Sooner Had He the Arms in His Hands But, As If They Had Put New Vigor Into Him, He Flew Upon His Murders Like A Fury” more than doubled its pre-sale estimate of $120,000 to achieve $267,750.President of the Board of Managers Rodney Scott commented, “The Library is thrilled with the sale results for the two Wyeth paintings. The income from the proceeds will provide expanded programs and services to its Wilmington users.”Other highlights from the Pennsylvania Impressionists section of the auction included two works by Daniel Garber; “The River Road” (pictured above right) sold for $327,750 and “Up Jericho” brought $207,750. George William Sotter 's “The Hill Road, Winter” was another notable sale, bringing $147,750. In September, these three paintings were showcased at Scotland 's Lyon & Turnbull as part of Freeman 's “Pennsylvania Impressionists in Scotland” exhibition. The show coincided with the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art 's exhibition of American Impressionism. Top Lots from American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists, December 7, 2014:Lot 66    $435,750    N.C. Wyeth, “I Stood Like One Thunderstruck, Or As If I Had Seen an Apparition”Lot 158  $327,750    Daniel Garber, “The River Road”Lot 67    $267,750    N.C. Wyeth, “And No Sooner Had He The Arms in His Hands But, As If They Had Put New Vigor Into Him, He Flew Upon His Murders Like A Fury” Lot 142  $207,750    Daniel Garber, “Up Jericho”Lot 122  $147,750    George William Sotter, “The Hill Road, Winter”Lot 65    $135,750    N.C. Wyeth, “He Turned and Faced the Rising Sun, The Light Full on His Face”Lot 136  $111,750    George William Sotter, Barn on a Winter Night                                                           The next American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists auction will be held on June 7, 2015. Fine examples by N.C. Wyeth, Redfield, Sotter, and Coppedge have already been consigned. Please contact Alasdair Nichol or Andrew Huber for more information about buying or consigning.