Coming to Auction April 2
Earliest Work by David Hammons to Come to Auction
From the postwar period, a top lot bound to garner attention is an untitled mixed-paper collage on masonite board by David Hammons, 1965. The work, a simple but powerful image of two raised, clenched fists with shackles blending into the background, comes from the collection of the artist’s 1964 Los Angeles City College roommate, and will be the earliest work of art by Hammons to come to auction.
Post-War Paintings & Drawings: Norman Lewis, Vincent D. Smith, & Walter Williams
The sale will also include fine postwar paintings by Edward Loper, Haywood “Bill” Rivers, Walter Williams, and Vincent D. Smith (read our artist profiles on Vincent D. Smith and Norman Lewis).
Jacob Lawrence’s Cutting Logs #51
A top lot in the sale is Jacob Lawrence’s scarce Cutting Logs #51, gouache, tempera and watercolor on paper, 1942. Lawrence intended to paint a series depicting the rural life of African Americans over a six-month period in Virginia. He and his wife, artist Gwendolyn Knight, had a change of heart, returning early. Lawrence never completed the series, though works from it made it to institutional collections—from this same series is Firewood #55, in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
1960s-70s Paintings: Ernie Barnes, John Biggers, & Jacob Lawrence
Sculpture: Richmond Barthé & Elizabeth Catlett
A modernist portrait of a young boy, by Sargent Johnson, is a painted terracotta version of the artist’s Sammy, a porcelain head that was illustrated on the cover of the 1928 Harmon Foundation exhibition brochure. Other highlights include an elegant 25-inch carved sculpture by Elizabeth Catlett, 1975, directly acquired from the artist by its owner.
Contemporary Art: Sam Gilliam & Simone Leigh
Exhibition Begins March 28
The exhibition is free to attend and open to the public. We welcome special and educational groups with advance notice—send an inquiry to rsvp@swanngalleries.com.
Exhibition Hours
Saturday, March 28 — 12 PM to 5 PM
Monday, March 30 — 10 AM to 6 PM
Tuesday, March 31 — 10 AM to 6 PM
Wednesday, April 1 — 10 AM to 6 PM
Thursday, April 2 — 10 AM to 12 PM
Plan Your Visit
Specialist for the Auction
Nigel Freeman, African-American Fine Art Specialist
nfreeman@swanngalleries.com
(212) 254-4710 ext. 33
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The post African-American Fine Art: April 2020 Highlights appeared first on Swann Galleries News.