Shannon's Fine Art Auctioneers grossed $7.6 million in just two sales in 2011 Shannon Fine Art Auctioneers enjoyed a banner year in 2011, grossing over $7.6 million in just two sales. It was a record year for the firm, which conducts two auctions per year (in April and October)
and dated oil on Masonite work by Theodoros Stamos (Am., 1922-1997), titled Venetian Mirror (1949), 24 ½ inches by 39 ½ inches, changed hands for $123,000; and a large (69 inched by 98 ¼ inches) acrylic on canvas rendering of vertical red and black lines by Gene Davis (Am., 1920-1985), titled Night Rider, made $55,200.
Other Modern Art works included an acrylic on canvas by Paul Jenkins (Am., b. 1925), showing an L-shaped image rendered in bold, vivid, striped colors. The 78 inches by 58 inches work, titled Phenomenon – Shoulder to Sun (1981), went for $27,060. Also sold: a signed 1973 oil on canvas by Ilya Bolotowsky (Am., 1907-1981), titled Variation in Red Diamond ($26,400).
Collectors gobbled up Pop Art with gusto. A screenprint in color on white wove paper by Roy Lichtenstein (Am., 1923-1977), titled Reverie (1965), from the 11 Pop Artists portfolio Vol. II, brought $120,000; while a wood, paint, clay and graphite rendering of a tall, slim saxophone player by Marisol Escobar (Fr., b. 1930), titled Zoot (83 inches tall), topped out at $92,250.
A signed and dated (1965) stylized oil on canvas by Gerald Laing (Br., b. 1936), titled Number 71, showing a girl at the beach, wearing a hat and pink and white bikini, 46 inches by 30 inches, breezed to $96,000; and an acrylic on canvas work of a rearview mirror, left turn sign and asphalt highway by Allan D’Arcangelo (Am., 1930-1998), titled Straight Ahead, rose to $84,000.
A signed and dated (1964-65) oil on canvas of a nude woman kneeling on a suitcase by John Wesley (Am., b. 1928), titled Suitcase, knocked down at $84,000; and an oil and collage on canvas rendering of a dog perched atop an assortment of stacked objects by Robert Smithson (Am., 1938-1973), titled Bronze Dog Over Compression (dated 1962), commanded $39,360.
Two sculptures sold for similar amounts. A bronze with brown patina by Medardo Rosso (It., 1858-1928), titled Gavroche and showing the head and collar of a young woman on a small stone base, achieved $36,000; and a 1904 bronze with brown patina by Bessie Potter Vonnoh (Am., 1872-1955), depicting a mother and child and titled A Modern Madonna, fetched $33,600.
Rounding out a list of last year’s top lots: a clever oil on board trompe l’oeil of three guns shooting paper currency, with bullets and coins, by Otis Kaye (Am., 1885-1974), titled Gunfight Today O. Kayes Corral, hammered for $72,000; and a signed and dated (1961) oil on canvas by William Ronald (Am./Can., 1926-1998), showing colorful bold vertical strokes, made $60,000.
Already Shannon’s is anticipating a record-shattering auction this spring. “Based on what
has already been consigned, and what’s waiting in the wings, the April 26 auction could very well be our best sale ever,” said Mr. Shannon. “To have secured so many great works so soon is remarkable. The economy overall might be soft, but the market for high-end artwork is strong.”
Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers is one of only two auction houses in
