Mary Cassatt

Sara in a Round-Brimmed Bonnet Holding her Dog by Mary Cassatt

Circa 1901

Paul César Helleu is regarded among the most sought-after society portraitists of his era, and his Belle Époque works rival those of his contemporaries John Singer Sargent and Giovanni Boldini. He is best remembered for capturing the era's most beautiful socialites, including Consuelo Vanderbilt, the Duchess of Marlborough, the Comtesse de Loriol Chandieu and the Comtesse Mathieu de Noailles, among others. This work, however, stands out in that it captures the charming likeness of one of his art world cohorts, Mathilde See, a Parisian-born decorator and painter of floral still lifes. She is the essence of the modern woman, captured in her fashionable dress as she strolls along the flower-lined streets of Paris. Commanding in size, Portrait de Mathilde See fully displays Helleu's mastery over the medium of pastel. The muted palette of greys and blues is typical of the artist, bringing a harmony and cohesiveness to the composition. Furthermore, Helleu cleverly alludes to See's own artistic output with a backdrop of vibrant floral blooms, enlivening the canvas and complementing the greens and blues of the peacock feather adorning her hat. The portrait is all the more significant thanks to its provenance. It was previously in the collection of A. Alfred Taubman, one of America's most successful entrepreneurs and one-time owner of Sotheby's. Considering Taubman encountered some of the most noteworthy and beautiful works of art ever made through his auction house, the fact that he chose this portrait by Helleu to grace his collection is a testament to its import. Born in Brittany in 1859, Helleu moved to Paris in 1876 in order to study at the École des Beaux-Arts. Like so many other artists of his generation, he was trained there under the Academic master Jean-Léon Gérôme. That same year, he also attended the Second Impressionist Exhibition...

Tsuguharu Foujita 1886-1968 Japanese-French Portrait of a Mother and Child Signed “Foujita / Paris” (lower left) Ink and watercolor on paper An artistic luminary well ahead of his time, Tsuguharu Foujita burst onto the international art scene in the early 20th century as one of the most important artists in early Japanese modernism...

Rembrandt van Rijn 1606–1669 Dutch Jan Cornelis Sylvius, Preacher New Hollstein Dutch and Flemish (Rembrandt) 235, state 2/2 Bartsch 280 Printed by Rembrandt Signed and dated "Rem...

Portrait of Sir Winston Churchill English I 1874-1965 Charcoal on paper Signed lower right (indiscernible) This lifetime charcoal portrait of Winston Churchill, dating to around 19...

Charcoal and pastel on paper Sight: 16 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. Framed: 24 1/2 x 20 1/4 x 1 2/3 in. Signed lower right Inscribed verso

Artist: Alton Tobey Tite: Beethoven Year: 1974 Medium: Pastel on Paper, signed l.r. Size: 35.5 x 41 in. (90.17 x 104.14 cm) Frame Size: 40 x 36 in. (101.6 x 91.44 cm)

Study of a woman in profile by San Francisco artist William Kirchner (20th Century). Signed and dated "W. Kirchner 67" in the lower right corner. Presented in a new charcoal grey mat with foam core backing. Paper size: 18"H x 12"W. Exhibitions, San Francisco 28th Annual Arts Festival 1974, Capricorn Asunder Gallery 1974, Nevada City...

Artist's Self-Portrait in Pastel on Paper Bright yellow and ochre make up this self-portrait in chalk pastels by Michael William Eggleston (American, 20th Century). Unsigned, but acquired with a collection of the artist's work. Mat size: 30"H x 24"W Paper size: 24"H x 18"W Presented in a new soft peachy cream mat with foam core backing. Michael William Eggleston (American, 20th Century) is a San Francisco...