Catalog: Sold Items: Fine Art (195)

Serge Ivanhoff Ink and watercolor figural studies signed and and noted Paris. image 8"x10.5" framed 17" x 19". Serge Petrovitch Ivanoff was born in Moscow in 1893 and showed artistic ability from a young age. On the family’s move to St. Petersburg, he took the opportunity to further his artistic studies by enrolling at the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1917, at the height of the Russian Revolution. The turmoil of the aftermath of these events prompted Serge Ivanoff, with his wife and two young children, to move permanently to Paris in 1922. A talented portraitist, he quickly established himself in Paris and soon had the celebrities of the day commissioning him to paint their portraits, including Pope Pius XI, the dancer and choreographer Serge Lifar, poet Paul Valery, composer Arthur Honegger, and many notable Russian exiles now making their home in Paris. Between 1930 and 1950, he also regularly provided illustrations for the French journal L’Illustration, and painted a series of luminous and lyrical nudes. In 1950 Serge Ivanoff moved to the U.S.A., again specialising in portraiture, including Eleanor Roosevelt and the diplomat Jefferson Caffery amongst his subjects. However, by the 1960s he had returned to Paris where he continued to exhibit regularly at the Salon des Indépendants, receiving a Gold Medal from the Minister of Cultural Affairs, André Malraux, in 1966. Serge Ivanoff died in Paris in 1983.

William Keith California Landscap at evening sunset through California Oaks with cows at a distant watering hole. A dramatic moody classic Keith painting oil on canvas signed lower right William Keith and lower left SF for San Francisco. Measuring 18x14 inches framed in a modern gold leaf gallery frame 26x32 inches overall. A fine example of this important early California and American painter such an influential artist and teacher he is sometimes referred to the Dean of California Artists. Works by Keith have sold for as much as $121,000 at auction.

Artist Biography.

Brought to New York City in 1850, William Keith was apprenticed to a wood engraver in 1856 working for "Harper’s" magazine. In 1858 (or 1859) he visited California for "Harper’s" and then after a trip to Great Britain, settled in California as an engraver in 1862. He began exhibiting paintings in 1864 in San Francisco where he opened his studio, after having been taught painting by his wife. The Northern Pacific Railroad commissioned him to do landscape paintings along its route about 1868. In 1869-70 he studied in Dusseldorf, Germany; in 1871-72, he shared a studio in Boston with William Hahn; and in 1872, he returned to California. A nature lover, he found there was “scarcely a mountain in three-fourths of California where he had not kept vigil for days as a time, studying every detail of color, flower, rock, forge, shadow, and sunshine.” Keith became Thomas Hill’s rival in monumental landscapes, saying, “I’d be satisfied if I could reach the power and success of Tom Hill.” When George Inness visited California in 1890, he worked in Keith’s studio for many weeks, and they made sketching trips together. The result for Keith was an influenced style reflecting the subjective rather than the spectacular. His "Majesty of the Oaks" painting sold at auction in New York City in 1903 for $2,300., and about the same time "Glory of the Heaven" sold at auction in San Francisco for $12,000. Of medium height with unruly curly hair, Keith had his studio next to the live oaks on the Berkeley campus where it was the center of the university-oriented California culture. The 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed 2,000 of Keith’s works.

Original oil on board by Drake Seaman of a young Navajo girl named Rita. Signed lower right and signed and titled on the reverse by the artist with the artists address in Arizona. Measuring image size 8 x 10 in excellent condition. Drake Seaman, Southwestern artist, was born 1935 and died December 2000. He was a resident of Williams, Arizona and painted in sumi ink, acrylics, and oil using brush and knife applications. Seaman's subject matter includes cowboys, horse, cattle and landscapes. He also painted murals with Ray Strong. One of Seaman's landscape murals is in a Seventh Day Adventist Church in Santa Barbara, California. A mural titled "Prodigal Son" is in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Williams, Arizona. He studied at the Kachina Art School with Jay Datus. From 1969 to 1970, he was an instructor of landscape painting at Brroks Fine Arts Center in Santa Barbara. Two paintings are in the permanent collection at the Phippen Museum in Prescott, Arizona. Much of his collection resides with his wife in Williams, AZ. Seaman is believed to have associated with Flagstaff Activist Network (FAN) a conservationist group that supports preserving habitats and native cultures of the Southwest. Source: Katy Holditch "Who's Who in American Art", 1997-1998

Oil painting of a Venice canal with children. Signed lower left by Robert Ward Van Boskerck (1855-1932), an Impressionist landscape painter. Boskerck was elected to the National Academy of Design in New York City as an associate in 1897, and an Academician in 1907. He exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, and other major museums. Work by this artist is held by the New York City in the Union League, Lotus Club, and Fencers Club, and the Layton Art Gallery. Image 30"L x 20"W. overall framed size 40" x 30".

Fine Antique American Victorian drawing of a young boy, circa 1880. Image, 10"L x 16"H. Matted and in quality frame 20 X 26 overall. Wear to edges under the mat minor flaws to surface. In a quality gallery frame.

A Dutch painting school of Jan Vermeer of an interior scene Picturing a woman at work in a traditional 17th century kitchen. Oil on oak panel beautifully painted framed in a gilt decorative frame. A fine decorative painting would be a nice addition to any collection.

A fine western bronze of two cow girls by Edward Fraughton born 1939 a Utah artist is a highly regarded sculptor of western bronzes. This example of two charming western girls is finely detailed and in excellent condition. Measuring approx. 12.5 inches tall signed and numbered 8 of 30 and dated 1971. A bronze by Fraughton sold at for 10,350 at Altermann Galleries on 10/23/04. A fine example would be a nice addition to any collection of western or Utah art.

Original pen and Ink drawing "Girl on the Beach" by Frank Van Sloun signed lower right. Renowned painter, muralist, etcher and educator. Van Sloun studied in New York City under Robert Henri and members of the Ashcan School. Memberships included the San Francisco Art Association, the Carmel Art Association, Bohemian Club, Society of Mural Painters and California Society of Etchers. Image 8"L x 11"W.

Original antique oil painting view of a Spanish Interior with islamic influence Seville Spain. Signed lower right A. Liger titled Seville. Oil on canvas image 9"L x 7"W. overall 12 x 10 inches in excellent condition.

AFTER NIKOLAI IVANOVICH LIBERIKH (1828-1883), A RUSSIAN BRONZE OF A BEAR STANDING ON HIND LEGS with signature and with a plaque engraved in Russian "Killed by the Emperor near / Lisin 9 March 1865" Height 21 1/4 in. 54 cm Condition: excellent some age discoloration an early 20th century casting. Provenance: Private Collection Stanford Ca. Dimensions: Approx. 21" x 10" x 9"

Frank Montague Moore Carmel or Monterey evening nocturne oil on board signed lower right F.M. Moore. A beautiful painting with a amazing sense of light. In excellent condition measuring 12 x 16 inches approx. overall size 19 x 23 inches. A fine painting by this highly acclaimed artists would be a nice addition to any collection.

Biography

Born in Taunton, England on Nov. 24, 1877. Moore studied at the Liverpool Art School and Royal Institute. In 1903 he immigrated to America and further studied with Henry Ward Ranger. By 1910 he was an established artist in NYC; in that year moved to Hawaii where he was purchasing agent for Hawaii Plantations and later served as director of the Honolulu Academy of Arts. In 1928 he sailed for California and worked briefly in Pasadena where he painted the Picture Bridge, a series of 41 murals in the Huntington Hotel. After a few months in San Francisco, he settled on the Monterey Peninsula. There he specialized in poetic depictions of the coast and other local scenery. Moore died in Carmel, CA on March 5, 1967. Member: Salmagundi Club; NY WC Club; AFA; Pasadena Society of Artists. Exh: Calif. WC Society, 1928; Nicholson Gallery (Pasadena), 1928; CGA; PAFA; St Louis Museum; GGIE, 1939; LACMA, 1942; Salmagundi Club, 1943; Santa Cruz, 1944; Society for Sanity in Art, CPLH, 1944 (1st prize and Logan medal); Carmel AA, 1945-46; NAD. In: Orange Co. (CA) Museum; USMC Headquarters (SF); Auckland (NZ) Museum; Honolulu Academy of Art. Source: Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"

A fine antique oil painting of Flowers in a Vase oil on panel signed lower left by Caroline Noette dated 1874. In original antique gilt wood and gesso frame. Painting 8 x 10 inches frame 13.5 x 15.5 inches. In excellent original antique condition.

Fine Antique miniature Bronze Portrait bust of a young man. Finely detailed bronze casting. Measuring 7.5" x 4 x 3.5 Inches. In excellent antique condition.

Beautiful Egyptian street scene an Original oil painting on board signed lower right measuring approx. 20 x 24 in excellent condition. Biography LEONID GECHTOFF, 1883-1941 

Leonid Gechtoff was born in Odessa, Russia, in 1883, an only child of parents already in their forties and not particularly well off financially.  After his art school training in Russia, where he probably first met his close life-long friend David Burliuk, he and his parents fled from their homeland when he was in his twenties, rather than have him face possible conscription into the army. Cairo proved to be a haven for several years and Gechtoff painted many city and genre scenes of Egypt in his heavily impastoed style, bringing him acclaim in the Orientalist-enamored European art world as well.

Gechtoff always felt most influenced by the work of Vincent van Gogh, however, and this led him to travel to Holland where Dutch-born van Gogh painted in his early years, though not in the colorful later style Gechtoff most admired. There he established good connections which led to gallery shows in Amsterdam, and at one he met his future Russian-born wife Etya while she was on vacation from her pre-medical studies in Germany. Her family was well-to-do and supportive of the young couple, so they were able to wed and settle in Holland initially for about a year, around 1917. Several Alpine landscapes indicate painting trips in more mountainous parts of Europe too. Both Leonid and his wife were fluent in several languages.

The Gechtoffs soon moved to Indonesia, then a major South Pacific colony under Dutch control, hoping that the warmer climate would be better for Etya's health. The lush volcanic landscapes were strongly appealing to the artist as well. They lived in Java for about two years, in 1918 and 1919, and enjoyed traveling and collecting throughout the region during painting trips.

By 1920 they were living in Manila, and in early 1921 they planned a visit to see two of Etya's brothers in Pennsylvania later that year.  Once in America, the Gechtoffs found themselves persuaded to stay and settle in Philadelphia, with both becoming US citizens.  Leonid's major patron and benefactor was either a member of the family of Dutch-born philanthropist Edward Bok or Bok himself. Along with inclusion in various group exhibitions, his work was featured in a solo show at the Philadelphia Art Alliance in the early 1930's.

Gechtoff had achieved substantial success throughout the 1920's from his landscape paintings near his home in Philadelphia, and had also purchased a summer home on Cape May, New Jersey, where he painted many coastal scenes.  Unfortunately, he made large investments in the stock market in the latter years of the decade, and these disappeared almost overnight in the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The family now included young Sonia, born in 1926, and soon her sister, born in 1933.

With their fortunes in decline, like so many artists in the Depression of the 1930's, they sold the Cape May house but still were able find suitable rentals at the shore for their summer sojourns, and otherwise still lived in downtown apartments in Philadelphia. Gechtoff's works began to depict wintry landscapes along with his bright rocky seascapes and still lifes.

Gechtoff continued vigorously painting in his vivid and distinctive style, a blending of post-Impressionism and expressionism, until his health became a problem in 1940, with the stress of high blood pressure and complications. He died in 1941 at the age of 58. His widow later moved to San Francisco and ran an influential exhibition space in San Francisco called the East-West Gallery, while daughter Sonia became a well-known artist currently living in New York City. 
Gechtoff is listed in the Archives of American Artists, part of the Smithsonian Institution.

California Impressionist landscape of a field of wildflowers by Helen Glieforst a listed California woman impressionist painter. A beautiful and very decorative art work with a soft impressionist feeling. Oil on masonite board measuring an impressive 24 x 30 inches framed in a quality gallery frame measuring overall 31 x 37 inches.

Biography

Helen Glieforst Impressionist Landscape Born in Crete, Nebraska on February 10, 1903, Helen Gleiforst moved with her family shortly thereafter to San Diego, California. In 1918 her family relocated to Eugene, Oregon, and in 1920 Helen attended the University of Oregon. Because of her father's health, the family returned to Southern California. She married realtor Fred Gleiforst in 1923 and settled in Beverly Hills. It was in the late 1920s that she began to paint and draw. Her teachers included Nicolai Fechin, George Melcher, and John Hubbard Rich. Her instruction with Dedrick Stuber influenced her landscapes and Nell Walker Warner influenced her floral paintings. By the mid-1930s she had established a local reputation as an artist. She became a frequent exhibitor at one man shows in local venues. In the 1950s she had an exhibit at Stanford University. With her husband's retirement in 1960 she began to travel throughout California where she painted many of her landscapes. She stopped her artistic work in the 1980s because of poor health. The full extent of her output became evident after her death when an heir discovered over 500 paintings stored in her home. These works show the strong impressionistic expression of her work that was characteristic of the early plein-air painters of California. Gleiforst died in Los Angeles, California on May 28, 1997. Exhibited: Ebell Society; Beverly Hills & Westwood Women's Clubs; Clearwater Jr. High School, 1936.

Classical romantic allegorical painting by James Korn oil on canvas signed and dated Los Angeles 1928 lower left. A beautiful painting by listed California artist James Korn born 1873 at Braila Romania died in Los Angeles in 1961. James Korn is listed in Hughes artists in California he worked in Hollywood as artists. The painting is nicely framed has an old varnish that gives a antique look to the painting but if preferred it could be cleaned one minor touch up in the canvas. Overall a very nice decorative painting would be a nice addition to any interior.

Oil painting landscape with a creek. Signed lower right "Frederick Wagner" (1864-1940), a renowned American Impressionist who studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 1879 to 1884. He exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy, the Carnegie, and the Corcoran, as well as the National Academy of Design. Image, 6"H x 8"L. Framed in period frame overall size 10" x 12". Written provenance directly from the artist accompanies this painting.

Vintage abstract painting of boats in a harbor by award winning artist Audrey Salkind. Salkind graduated from the Moore College of Art and Design in Philladelphia and continued her studies in Maryland as well. She has exhibited extensively throughout the Mid Atlantic and NY.