Historically Significant Hartshorne Collection of Works by Mary Cassatt Leads Christie's Prints Sale Christie’s is pleased to announce the sale of a
distinguished collection of rare works, A Mary Cassatt Collection : Prints and Drawings from the Descendants of Robert Hartshorne
News-Antique.com - Oct 23,2007 - A Mary Cassatt Collection: Prints and Drawings from the Descendants of Robert Hartshorne - Oct 30
Prints and Multiples - Oct 30 - 31
New York – Christie’s is pleased to announce the sale of a
distinguished collection of rare works known for its breadth and
historical significance, A Mary Cassatt Collection: Prints and
Drawings from the Descendants of Robert Hartshorne, that will take
place in New York on October 30. The collection has remained
in private hands for generations and many of the works in the
sale are rediscovered, such as the drawing Gathering Fruit
(illustrated left, estimate: $50,000-70,000), which was only known
to scholars through Cassatt’s catalogue raisonné but has not
been seen for decades. The sale consists of over 70 works on
paper that reveal Harthshorne’s dedication to compiling a nearly
complete collection of Cassatt’s printmaking activity.
HARTSHORNE COLLECTION
Hartshorne was from a prominent family in New Jersey and he amassed a nearly
comprehensive collection of Cassatt’s prints by the time of his death around 1945. The
works offered in the sale include many rare states of early intaglio work – among the most
difficult and technical of all art forms – and a few choice preparatory drawings and softground
transfer drawings. In addition to the Hartshorne provenance several lots bear one or
more of the stamps of Roger Marx, Durand-Ruel, and Degas.
Cassatt began printmaking mid-life, when she
was already an established painter, and she
considered printmaking a venue for artistic
growth rather than a commercial enterprise.
Among the highlights in the collection is the
well-known image The Bath (five states plus a
preparatory drawing), which reveal Cassatt’s
process in developing her first color aquatint
(estimate: $80,000-120,000). Important and rare works that demonstrate the artist’s crossinfluence
with Degas and development of style include: The Map – an image from her first
portfolio of drypoints published by Durand-Ruel (illustrated left, estimate; 30,000-50,000);
Costume Study After Gavarimi, 1878 – all three states of her rare second print (estimate:
$25,000-30,000); and Waiting – a soft-ground etching that shows her interest in the effects
of light and dark (estimate: $30,000-50,000).
On the Balcony is one of Cassatt’s earliest color prints, noted by
A.D. Breeskin for the unique color inking on the plate by the
artist’s hand (illustrated right, estimate: $30,000-40,000).
Another early print, Lady in Black, in a Loge, Facing Right, was
created during Cassatt’s first years with the Impressionists
(estimate: $30,000-50,000).
PRINTS AND MULTIPLES SALE
Immediately following the sale of the Hartshorne collection
will be the two-day, four-session various owners sale on
October 30 & 31. With a total of 786 lots, the sale features a number of brilliant works with
outstanding provenance, including a vibrant complete set of Matisse’s Jazz, originally from
the Rosabianca and Albert Skira collection, publishers of the set (estimate: $350,000 -
450,000). Likewise, Matisse’s Nu au coussin bleu à côté d’une cheminée (estimate: $100,000 –
150,000), from the estate of Pierre-Noël Matisse, is a nearly pristine impression of this iconic
nude.
Another important work
