Flemish master’s Venus to highlight Grogan and Company Fine Art Auctioneers December auction

DEDHAM, MASS.- Grogan and Company Fine Art Auctioneers and Appraisers will be offering an eclectic selection of works of art at their December 2nd auction. The sale begins with a selection of Old Master works including a sensuous depiction of Venus by Gortzius Geldorp. A Dutch Renaissance painter of the late 16th and early 17th century, Geldorp was born in Leuven, studied with Frans Pourbus, the elder, then became the court painter to the Duke of Terra Nova. He was known to have painted the theme of Venus many times, however, this circa 1612 oil on panel is of exceptional quality and is expected to fetch $10,000-20,000. Other unattributed Old Master works include a Lucretia, oil on copper; the Baptism of Christ, oil on copper; The Holy Family with Bird, after Simon Vouet and the Madonna of the Harpies, after Andrea del Sarto, amongst others.

In stark contrast to the Old Master offerings, the American offerings include two modern gouaches and two hand hammered silver brooches by the iconic 20th century artist, Alexander Calder. The Calder’s were gifts from the artist to William and Virginia Chess of Connecticut in the 1970’s. Red Blue and Yellow Man, estimated at 20,000-30,000, is inscribed “To Virginia Chess”, while Skeleton Drinking Wine, estimated at $10,000-20,000, is inscribed “to Wm Chess”. Both were created in 1973 and are gouaches on Ganson & Montfolfier paper. A hammered silver heart shaped brooch was a gift from the artist to their daughter upon her 16th birthday and is estimated at $5,000-10,000.

Nineteenth century European highlights include an oil on canvas by French artist, Jules Noel, titled Harbor View of Fecamp, which bears a $10,000-15,000 estimate.

Art glass offerings include Seaforms, a set of four blown glass works by Dale Chihuly. Created in 1998, the pink and yellow glass with horizontal banding is estimated to bring $10,000-20,000; while a 22 inch high Glass Vessel, by the California artist, William Morris, c. 1987, should bring $5,000-10,000.

Nineteenth century European highlights include an oil on canvas by French artist, Jules Noel, titled Harbor View of Fecamp, which bears a $10,000-15,000 estimate; while another French painting, Boulevard de la Madeliene, by Edouard Cortes, also bears a $10,000-15,000 estimate. Winter Trail, a Russian oil on canvas by Jaroslav Vesin, should fetch $5,000-10,000; while two works by Italian genre artist Giuseppe Mazzolini, depicting mothers taking care of their babes, are both estimated at $800-1,200. Three modernist works on paper of note include French artist Auguste Herbin’s Geometric Composition, a 12 x 9 inch gouache bearing a $10,000-15,000 presale estimate; an abstract ink and watercolor by German artist Alfred Otto Wolfgang Schulze, also known as WOLS, should bring $15,000-20,000; and Hungarian artist Lajos Kassak’s Geometric Abstract gouache is estimated at $8,000-12,000.

Among a varied selection of portraits is a charming Girl in Red Dress with Dog by the 19th century German/American artist Charles Christian Nahl. The 46 x 32 inch oil was created in 1858, while the artist maintained a studio in San Francisco, Californian. The painting is in the original 19th century gilt frame and is estimated at $5,000-7,000. An important 19th century American School View of Daniel Webster’s Homestead in Marshfield, Massachusetts, is a rare view of his home before it burned to the ground on February 14, 1878. His daughter in law rebuilt the homestead in 1880, which is now the Daniel Webster Estate & Heritage Center. The 22 x 27 inch oil on canvas is estimated $2,000-3,000.

Sporting art collectors will enjoy a selection of watercolors and charcoal drawings by Aiden Lassell Ripley, features Ladies on a Pier with Seagulls, which was exhibited in the1996 Guild of Boston Artists Ripley retrospective.

In addition to fine art, the auction will include a large selection of furniture and decorative works of art, silver, jewelry and Oriental rugs and carpets. The exhibition is open to the public and begins on Thursday, November 29th. Hours: Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 12 noon. The auction will begin with Fine Art at 12:00 noon and will be conducted in lot number order. A fully illustrated catalogue can be found online at www.groganco.com. For more information regarding upcoming auctions, consigning or appraisal services, please call the gallery at 781-461-9500.