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Aviva's Pick
Aviva Lehmann | Senior Vice President, American Art, New York
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Maurice Sendak's Max Arriving at the Island of Wild
Things is a personal favorite, as it marks the genesis of a cultural
touchstone—the very first "Wild Things" illustration ever created,
opening a fascinating window into Sendak's creative mind. Much like owning the
first issue of a legendary comic book or a rare #1 baseball card, this 1963
watercolor captures the pivotal moment when Max's iconic journey into the realm
of imagination began, laying the foundation for a narrative that would redefine
children's literature. Acquiring this work means possessing a cornerstone of
literary history, where Sendak's transformative vision first took shape.
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Liz's Picks
Vice President, West Coast Director, American Art
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The pair of Cretan Dancers included in this
auction represent a unique offering—never have two examples of each of these
dancer forms been offered together at auction. They retain distinguished
provenance, having been acquired as a pair directly from the artist by the
present owner, and offer an increasingly rare opportunity for any discerning
collector. Their presence at auction celebrates the artist's supreme talent and
exceptional prowess as a sculptor. The sensuality and fluidity of these two
sculptural forms capture the essence of dance as an art form and speak to both
the Classical influences and Modern artistic movements that inspired the
artist. As pendants, these sculptures would complement any interior and are
distinguished by their rarity and quality.
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During Church's only transatlantic journey, from November
1867 to June 1869, the artist produced a series of studio paintings which
recorded landscapes across Europe, the Ottoman Empire and the southern
Mediterranean, the present work one among them. Church's visit to Ottoman Syria
only deepened his Catholic faith, placing him in the same locations ascribed to
many stories in the bible. Moreover, it dutifully captures the foreign vistas
not readily accessible to Church's growing base of admirers in America. This
striking and beautifully contemplative work seeks to capture the expanses of a
world perhaps never experienced by many of its viewers and pays tribute to
Church's own spiritual devotions.
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Alissa's Picks
Alissa Ford | Vice President, American & Western Art
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W.R. Leigh's Navajo Trader is making its
first appearance on the market after spending over a century in the care of the
same family. It's a remarkable work that speaks to Leigh's deep connection to
the rugged landscapes and rich cultures of the American West. With his signature
blend of realism and romanticism, Leigh draws us right into the scene, hinting
at stories of adventure, hardship, and quiet heroism. At a time when many
artists leaned on stereotypes, Leigh made a conscious effort to portray
Indigenous peoples with authenticity and dignity. His deep commitment to both
figure and landscape gives Navajo Trader an extraordinary
honesty—a heartfelt snapshot of a world on the edge of profound change.
Technically masterful and emotionally resonant, this painting stands as a
quintessential example of Western American art and a lasting tribute to W.R.
Leigh's legacy as one of its greatest storytellers.
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Having grown up in the desert, some of my most vivid memories are filled with images of the wide-open sky—a connection that makes Ed Mell's powerful portrayals of the desert sky resonate deeply with me. We are
truly honored to offer four remarkable works by Mell in this auction. My
personal favorite, Drifting Clouds at Sunset, is a preliminary
piece for a larger 66 x 66-inch version of the same subject. Despite its
smaller size, this dynamic work carries the same striking impact. Mell
masterfully balances light and shadow, creating sharp contrasts that bring
depth to the otherwise flat, geometric planes. His technique lends the piece an
almost cinematic quality, as though we are witnessing a dramatic moment
unfolding under the weight of a desert storm. Ed Mell passed away on February 21, 2024, at the age of 81-a profound loss to the Western Art world. Known for his warmth, quick wit, and extraordinary creative vision, his legacy lives on through his breathtaking vistas. His spirit continues to shine across the
majestic landscapes he so brilliantly captured.
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Ethan's Picks
Ethan Diner | Associate Specialist, American Art
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In Diving In, Leyendecker distills a fleeting
moment of youthful exuberance into a scene of meticulously choreographed grace.
In illustrating the three children plunging into the water, their limbs
intertwined, the artist composes a kinetic symphony of arcs and angles. The
central figure, humorously pinching his nose mid-leap, serves as an engaging
narrative anchor, while the elegantly foreshortened figures and repeated visual
motifs underscore Leyendecker's extraordinary command of anatomy and
compositional design. Leyendecker's stylized concentric ripples further enhance
the painting's decorative appeal, subtly invoking the rhythmic precision and
ornamental geometry characteristic of the Art Deco movement. Any discussion of
this work would be incomplete without mention of its provenance: Diving
In comes directly from the personal collection of the esteemed
illustrator Michael Dolas (1912-2010), a prominent contemporary of Leyendecker.
Dolas's illustrations graced covers and pages of national magazines and
accompanied texts by literary icons such as Ernest Hemingway, and the two
illustrators were known to have maintained a personal rapport.
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Originally commissioned as a cover illustration for the
October 22, 1932 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, Marionettes exemplifies
Rockwell's ability to marry technical precision with emotional nuance. At the
center of the composition stands an elderly puppeteer, leaning forward with a
mix of intensity and tenderness as he manipulates two eighteenth-century-style
marionettes in a theatrical bow. Marionettes encapsulates
several central preoccupations of Rockwell's Depression-era work: the
celebration of craftsmanship, reverence for labor, and escapism in the context
of economic uncertainty. The contrast between the humble, apron-clad figure and
the lavishly attired dolls highlights the juxtaposition between the elderly
man's humble reality and the ornate make-believe of the puppets he manipulates.
The puppeteer's absorbed expression can be viewed as emblematic of the artist
himself-one who pulls the strings behind the scenes to breathe life into inert
forms, and, in this case, one offering an enthralling, cinematic escape to a
public often faced with dire circumstances.
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Julia's Pick
Julia Matthiesen | American Art Coordinator & Assistant
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A masterclass in narrative American art, Sandlot
Saints tells a complete story in a single image. Everywhere you look,
there's something new to discover, and the dynamic, flowing quality of Barnes's
signature elongated forms guides the eye effortlessly through the composition.
The scene's warmth and atmosphere bring it vividly to life-you can almost feel the heat of the day and hear the cheering from the distant stadium.
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New England Skating Party captures the whimsical
charm of a winter evening straight out of a fairy tale. Friends and families
gather to race, twirl, and sled across the icy scene-a timeless tradition well
known by many New Englanders. With his signature attention to detail and
masterful composition, Wysocki brings to life the nostalgic Americana that
defines his beloved work.
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Aviva Lehmann
Senior Vice President,
American Art,
New York
AvivaL@HA.com
(212) 486-3530
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Liz Goodridge
Vice President,
West Coast Director,
American Art
LizG@HA.com
(214) 409-3223
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Alissa Ford
Vice President,
American & Western Art
AlissaF@HA.com
(214) 409-1926
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Ethan Diner
Associate Specialist,
American Art,
New York
EthanD@HA.com
(212) 486-3525
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Julia Matthiesen
American Art Coordinator
& Assistant, New York
JuliamM@HA.com
(214) 409-3051
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