Mary Cassatt

Simone Seated on the Grass Next to Her Mother by Mary Cassatt

1901-02

Pierre Carrier-Belleuse 1851-1932 French Danseuse Signed “Pierre Carrier-Belleuse” (lower right) Pastel on canvas Strikingly elegant, this extraordinary pastel by French impressi...

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...

Giovanni Boldini 1842-1931 Italian Portrait of Lucie Gérard by Giovanni Boldini Signed “Boldini” (lower right) Pastel on canvas This exceptional portrait was composed by the great Giovanni Boldini, one of the most important portrait painters of the Belle Époque. The charming work captures the young, elegant French...

Maximilien Luce 1858-1941 French Femme mettant ses bas (Woman putting on her stockings) Pastel on paper Signed "Luce 89" (lower left) Maximilien Luce’s Femme mettant ses bas is a...

Signed lower left, 'M. Kestor' for Mary Peterson Kestor (American, 1948-2021) and painted circa 1965. Born in Iowa, Mary Kestor first studied at the University of Northern Iowa, whe...

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...

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...

Red and green pastel portrait study of four faces in different poses, one male and one female, by Visionary artist Clayton Anderson (American, b. 1943). Signed and dated "Clayton 197...