Page 16 - March 2022

Bruneau January Online Auction Results

CRANSTON, RI – An oil on An oil on canvas abstract modern painting by Sudanese artist Hussein
canvas landscape painting Shariffe (1934-2005) found a new owner for $11,250. The work depicted
by Hudson River School an abstract figure with an elongated, spindly neck and legs, beside a bird
artist Julie Hart Beers in deep muted colors, with the setting sun as a backdrop. The 32 x 24 inch
(NJ/MA, 1835-1913), (sight) painting was signed
titled Summer at Mossy “Shariffe” lower left.
Brook, was one of the Shariffe attended the
top lots in an online- University of Cambridge, then
only Estate Fine Art & later the Slade School of Fine
Antiques auction held Arts in London, where he
January 6th by Bruneau & studied under Lucien Freud
Co. Auctioneers, fetching a robust $20,000, including the buyer’s (1922-2011). In 1960, Shariffe
premium. Other original artworks also did well. began to teach at the School
The auction featured 386 lots, mostly pulled from estates and of Fine Arts in Khartoum,
collections across New England. “The auction was exciting to start the which marked a period of
New Year off with a lot of bidding action on all platforms and on all experimentation in his craft.
categories from fine arts to Asian across the board,” said Kevin Shariffe’s work has been exhib-
Bruneau, Bruneau & Co’s president and an auctioneer. “It was good to ited at Gallery One in London,
see. We look forward to the rest of 2022.” the Sao Paulo Biennial in
The Beers painting was a naturalistic depiction of towering birch trees Brazil, the Sharjar Art
beside a glistening lake. The 17 x 11 inch work (less frame), was signed Foundation, as well as in
“Julie H. Beers ‘78” bottom right and titled on verso. Beers’ work conveys Jordan, Egypt, and Germany.
the intimacy of the Hudson River and New England's vast landscapes. She An early 20th century black
was one of only a few prolific female painters of the Victorian era. “Supercharged” Auburn pedal
Beers was the sister of two other Hudson River School artists: James car, made by Murray Mfg. Co. (Cleveland, OH), was a surprise sleeper of
McDougal Hart and William Hart. She learned to paint from them, as the auction, roaring past its $300-$500 pre-sale estimate to sell for $5,938.
well as her husband, who was also an artist. Her work was widely exhibited The car came out of the collection of a Plainfield (CT) estate and meas-
throughout the United States, including the Boston Athenaeum, the ured 52 inches in length. It had scratches and paint loss from age and use.
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the National Academy of Design. The runner-up top lot, after the Beers painting, was an exquisitely
“It was uplifting to see such strong results for the Julie Beers and carved, 19th century European mahogany stained glass bronze bar. The
Anthony Thieme paintings, as more traditional subjects have been bar, 10 feet tall by 13 feet 6 inches wide, featured stained glass trim over a
depressed,” said Travis Landry, a Bruneau & Co. auctioneer and the large mirror decorated with blue and white tiles over a marble top over
firm’s Director of Pop Culture. “It was a good sign for the markets as three doors, one opening to reveal a sink, flanked by two large bronze
we enter 2022.” figural columns depicting Herculean men with lion fur draped over
The painting by Anthony Thieme (MA/CA, 1888-1954) was a their shoulders.
watercolor on paper that depicted groups of men in boats floating The bar was removed from Miramar Mansion in Newport, RI, and fell
through calm waters, surrounded by tropical trees. The work measured short of its $20,000-$40,000 estimate, selling for $19,200. It has some
19 1/2 x 28 inches (sight, less frame), and was signed “A Thieme” in minor casting flaws to the bronze figural columns and some light surface
the lower right corner. The painting easily bested its $500-$800 wear, but was otherwise in good condition. Magnificent mahogany bars
estimate, finishing at $12,500. like the one in the sale are a wonderful addition to any home.
Thieme studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts under George Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers is always accepting quality consignments for
Hacker, then later in Italy future auctions, with commissions as low as zero percent. Now would be a
and Germany. He is best perfect time to clean out your attic. To contact Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers
known for depictions of about consigning a single piece or an entire collection, you may send an e-mail
boats, fishermen, and seaside to info@bruneauandco.com. Or, you can phone them at 401-533-9980.
harbors. Thieme was a major To learn more about Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, please visit
figure in the Rockport (MA) www.bruneauandco.com.
School of American regional
art and was an accomplished
en plein air artist. But he
suffered from depression and
took his own life at age 66.
An original portrait
painting by Edgar S. Paxson
(MT, 1852-1919), of a
Native American man with
a strong side profile, long
thick black hair, and a
single feather adornment over a rich blue background, changed hands
for $12,500. The oil on board painting, 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches, was
housed in a 9 x 8 inch frame and signed and dated “E. S. Paxson 1906”
lower right.
Paxson was a notable artist of the vanishing West, born in New York
with his early art education received from his father, a sign painter and
carriage decorator. He moved to Montana in 1881, where his studios
became popular attractions for artists visiting the West. Paxson was
most interested in painting the portraits of those who fought at Little
Big Horn. This led him to befriend and ultimately paint Gall, the Chief
of the Sioux.

14 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles