Artist Spotlight: William Wendt

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Born in Germany, William Wendt started his artistic practice making furniture in his home country. Upon emigrating to the United States, he turned his focus to painting.


William Wendt, <em>A Gray Day - Monterey</em>
William Wendt (American, 1865–1946), A Gray Day – Monterey, oil on canvas, 14″ x 17″.
Sold: $8,190

Wendt was among the landscapists who comprised the Eucalyptus School of painters, named for the trees commonly seen in California. These artists applied the looseness of French Impressionism to renderings of the unique geography of California. Wendt was also associated with the Arts and Crafts movement in the state, which espoused a belief in making art in harmony with nature. Among his peers, Wendt was known as the “Dean of Southern California landscape painters,” and his commitment to celebrating the natural beauty of his surroundings continues to inspire generations of West Coast painters.

An exciting addition to our July 14th sale is an oil on canvas painting by California artist William Wendt. Largely self-taught, Wendt often employed a plein-air method while painting his naturalistic landscapes. For the piece in our sale, Wendt traveled north of his Laguna Beach studio to capture an overcast day at the beach in Monterey. The image includes his trademark painterly brushstrokes and prominent use of green tones. Along with his wife, sculptor Julia Bracken Wendt, and a host of other prominent artists, Wendt founded the California Art Club in 1909, which remains an active fine arts organization in the state.


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Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Joan Brown

This March at Clars we are proud to feature a work on paper and a print by one of the most well-loved modern artists of Bay Area origin.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Paul Sawyier

Sawyier is known primarily for his watercolor depictions of scenery in Kentucky and New York.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artist Spotlight: William T. Wiley

As an associate of the Funk Art movement, Wiley was a purveyor of using unconventional materials.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: William Keith

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

William Keith was born in Scotland and emigrated to the United States as a child, eventually settling in San Francisco. After studying watercolor techniques, he began painting with oils, and by 1870, he was working as a full-time fine artist.


Keith is known for his dramatic California landscapes, particularly his depictions of Yosemite National Park and other locations in the Sierra Nevada mountains. His work combines realism with romanticism, capturing the detailed topography of California intimately and monumentally.


William Keith, Into the Yosemite Valley.
William Keith (American, 1838–1911), Into the Yosemite Valley, circa 1895–1906, oil on canvas, 36″ x 60″.
Sold: $113,400 – 5th highest auction record for the artist

Keith’s artistic prowess shines through in his captivating depiction of the Yosemite Valley, featuring majestic horses that add an extra touch of dynamism and wonder to the scene. With meticulous brushstrokes and a keen eye for detail, Keith transports us into the heart of Yosemite’s natural splendor.

Through his artwork, Keith not only immortalizes the raw beauty of Yosemite but also invites us to appreciate the symbiotic relationship between nature and the human spirit. Keith’s paintings played a significant role in shaping public perception of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the serene beauty of Yosemite. Along with those of other artists, his paintings helped inspire the conservation movement and ultimately contributed to the establishment of Yosemite as a national park in 1890.


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Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Joan Brown

This March at Clars we are proud to feature a work on paper and a print by one of the most well-loved modern artists of Bay Area origin.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Paul Sawyier

Sawyier is known primarily for his watercolor depictions of scenery in Kentucky and New York.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artist Spotlight: William T. Wiley

As an associate of the Funk Art movement, Wiley was a purveyor of using unconventional materials.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Gustave Baumann

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Born in Magdeburg, Germany in 1881, Gustave Baumann was a renowned American artist who achieved notoriety for his exquisite woodcuts and prints.


Gustave Baumann, Arroya Chamisa, 1927.
Gustave Baumann (American/German, 1881–1971), Arroya Chamisa, 1927, 1956, woodcut in colors, 9.5″ x 11.25″.
Sold: $11,340

He immigrated to the United States and settled in the artistic community of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Baumann was known for his exquisite craftsmanship, intricate details, and captivating compositions. His woodcuts and prints showcase an appreciation for nature, displaying vibrant colors and capturing the essence of landscapes and cultural scenes.


Gustave Baumann, Summer Clouds.
Gustave Baumann (American/German, 1881–1971), Summer Clouds, woodcut in colors, 11″ x 9.75″.
Sold: $15,000

Filled with beautiful blooming landscapes in brightly colored skies, his work illuminated the beauty and grandeur of the American Southwest. Baumann’s meticulous technique — combined with his ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and tranquility — makes his art highly desirable for collectors seeking timeless beauty.


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Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artists to Watch: California

With this inaugural auction, we take great pride in introducing ten esteemed artists who persistently enrich the tapestry of California art.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Spring Modern + Contemporary Art Highlights

This March we are excited to present several very special works in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

The Collection of Allan Stone

From 1960 to 2020, Stone had a prominent New York City gallery that was known for showing artists such as: Wayne Thiebaud, Eva Hesse, Jack Whitten, and more.

  • Estate Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Wayne Thiebaud

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Wayne Thiebaud was an American painter known for his depictions of everyday objects and scenes. While he is primarily associated with Pop Art, still lifes, and landscapes, on rare occasion he would work in portraiture.

Clars offered Thiebaud’s Portrait of Jean Lee Porter, an oil painting created in 1951/52, at our Summer Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction. This particular artwork is a rare example of portraiture in his oeuvre, commanding a total of $31,500.


Wayne Thiebaud, Portrait of Jean Lee Porter.
Wayne Thiebaud (American, 1920–2021), Portrait of Jean Lee Porter, 1951/52, oil on canvas/board, 16″ x 12″.
Sold: $31,500

The painting showcases Jean Lee Porter, a friend and model for Thiebaud. Thiebaud’s distinctive style is evident in this piece — characterized by his use of bold, vibrant colors and thick application of paint. He captures the sitter in a frontal pose against a neutral background, emphasizing her facial features and expression. Thiebaud’s attention to detail is notable in the rendering of Porter’s face, which exhibits a sense of realism and three-dimensionality. The painting showcases Thiebaud’s early exploration of form, light, and color. As his focus shifted towards other subjects, his output of portraits became less frequent, making these early works relatively scarce.


Wayne Thiebaud, <em>Country City</em>.
Wayne Thiebaud (American, 1920–2021), Country City, 1988, etching and aquatint in colors, 21.5″ x 31.75″.
Sold: $27,500

Thiebaud had a special ability of infusing everyday subjects and settings with vitality and personality, showcasing his skill as a painter. His unique approach to capturing the essence of his subjects through rich brushwork and intense hues makes Thiebaud’s work so exciting for artists and collectors to this day.


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Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artists to Watch: California

With this inaugural auction, we take great pride in introducing ten esteemed artists who persistently enrich the tapestry of California art.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Spring Modern + Contemporary Art Highlights

This March we are excited to present several very special works in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

The Collection of Allan Stone

From 1960 to 2020, Stone had a prominent New York City gallery that was known for showing artists such as: Wayne Thiebaud, Eva Hesse, Jack Whitten, and more.

  • Estate Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Rafael Coronel

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Rafael Coronel is considered to be one of the greatest artists of the new expressionism movement in Mexican art.

Coronel was born on July 24, 1931, into a family of artists in Zacatecas, Mexico. He studied at the Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado “La Esmeralda” (National School of Painting, Sculpture and Printmaking) in Mexico City and Europe.


Rafael Coronel, <em>Dos Viejos</em>.
Rafael Coronel (Mexican, 1932–2019), Dos Viejos, 1960, oil on paper, 19″ x 24.5″.
Sold: $4,410

Coronel’s art often depicted human figures, landscapes, and still life compositions. He employed a distinctive style characterized by vibrant colors, meticulous details, and a touch of surrealism. His paintings showcased a deep understanding of Mexican culture and history — reflecting indigenous influences and the country’s social issues.


Rafael Coronel, <em>Retrato Sorprendido</em>.
Rafael Coronel (Mexican, 1932–2019), Retrato Sorprendido, oil on canvas, 39.5″ x 14″.
Sold $6,300
Rafael Coronel, <em>Los Primos</em>.
Rafael Coronel (Mexican, 1932–2019), Los Primos, 1959, oil on paper, 25.5″ x 19.5″.
Sold: $13,860

Gudelia emphasizes Coronel’s interest in portraiture, which was inspired by everyday people encountered on the streets of Mexico City. He depicted the human existential angst in the figure’s spectral, menacing face, with a downturned mouth and harrowing facial features set against a chiaroscuro background.


Rafael Coronel, <em>Gudelia</em>.
Rafael Coronel (Mexican, 1932–2019), Gudelia, 1961, oil on board, 40.5″ x 30.5″.
Sold: $8,820

Coronel’s contributions to the art world and his dedication to preserving Mexican cultural heritage continue to inspire artists and art enthusiasts to this day.


Rafael Coronel, <em>El Veterano</em>.
Rafael Coronel (Mexican, 1932–2019), El Veterano, 1959, oil on paper, 18.5″ x 24.5″.
Sold: $5,355

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Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artists to Watch: California

With this inaugural auction, we take great pride in introducing ten esteemed artists who persistently enrich the tapestry of California art.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Spring Modern + Contemporary Art Highlights

This March we are excited to present several very special works in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

The Collection of Allan Stone

From 1960 to 2020, Stone had a prominent New York City gallery that was known for showing artists such as: Wayne Thiebaud, Eva Hesse, Jack Whitten, and more.

  • Estate Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Jasper Johns

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

From the wall frescoes of ancient Rome to the trompe-l’oeil ceiling murals of Renaissance Europe, optical illusions have been a popular trend in visual art for ages.

Artists like Victor Vasarely and M.C. Escher revamped the way artists fool the eye in the 20th century. Perhaps inspired by the revitalized interest in optics, Jasper Johns created an image that toys with our perception of color.


Jasper Johns, Flag (Moratorium).
Jasper Johns (American, b. 1930), Flag (Moratorium), 1969, offset lithograph in colors, edition 97/300, 17″ x 26″.
Sold: $17,640

In the work, titled Flag (Moratorium), Johns presents the United States flag with pink, green, and black, replacing the traditional stars and stripes palette. The viewer is invited to stare at the small white dot in the center of the flag for 30 seconds, then avert their gaze to a white wall where they will see the same flag in its original red, white, and blue. This phenomenon, known as a negative afterimage, is caused by stimulation of the cells that carry signals between the eyes and the brain. Johns’ artwork is often layered — whether literally with material or metaphorically with meaning — and Flag (Moratorium) takes this layering a step further, with a covert optical illusion hiding just beneath the surface.

Johns’ flag prints are among his most well-known and iconic works. He first began exploring the American flag as a subject in the mid-1950s and the flag became a recurring motif in his art, representing various themes and concepts. The flag prints emerged during a time when abstract expressionism dominated the art scene. Johns’ use of familiar imagery, like the flag, challenged the prevailing ideas of what art could be. By appropriating this national symbol, Johns questioned the boundaries between art and everyday objects, inviting viewers to reconsider their own perceptions and interpretations.

The flag prints were created through various printmaking techniques, such as lithography, screen printing, and etching, allowing Johns to experiment with different textures and color variations. Today, Johns’ flag prints are highly regarded and can be found in significant museum collections worldwide. They continue to be celebrated as essential contributions to contemporary art history.


Read More

Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artists to Watch: California

With this inaugural auction, we take great pride in introducing ten esteemed artists who persistently enrich the tapestry of California art.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Spring Modern + Contemporary Art Highlights

This March we are excited to present several very special works in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

The Collection of Allan Stone

From 1960 to 2020, Stone had a prominent New York City gallery that was known for showing artists such as: Wayne Thiebaud, Eva Hesse, Jack Whitten, and more.

  • Estate Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: March Avery

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

“I knew I would be a painter. It never occurred to me that I would do anything else,” March Avery.


March Avery, Resting Nude.
March Avery (American, b. 1932), Resting Nude, 1989, oil on canvas, 18.25″ x 42.25″.
Sold: $28,980

Born into a family of artists — her father being Milton Avery and mother Sally Michel — March Avery cultivated a style that was distinctly her own. Growing up, she was surrounded by artists who were friends of her parents. She began creating by the age of two through painting, drawing and sculpting. She developed a style of her own that celebrates brilliant color and abstract forms.


Read More

Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artists to Watch: California

With this inaugural auction, we take great pride in introducing ten esteemed artists who persistently enrich the tapestry of California art.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Spring Modern + Contemporary Art Highlights

This March we are excited to present several very special works in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

The Collection of Allan Stone

From 1960 to 2020, Stone had a prominent New York City gallery that was known for showing artists such as: Wayne Thiebaud, Eva Hesse, Jack Whitten, and more.

  • Estate Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: David Hockney

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Working across multiple mediums, David Hockney is known for his painting, drawing, prints, photography, collage, set design and digital media.

Hockney was born on July 9, 1937 in Bradford, United Kingdom, and studied at Bradford School of Art and London’s Royal College of Art. In 1964, Hockney moved to California. Drawing inspiration from the region’s light, color, and landscape, his swimming pool paintings garnered him international recognition.


David Hockney, Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm.
David Hockney (British, b. 1937), Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm, 1970, complete portfolio of thirty-nine (39) etchings, with additional six (6) loose etchings, 17.75″ x 12.5″.
Sold: $34,375

During the 1980’s, Hockney began creating intricate photo collages that he called “joiners.” His early photo-collages consisted of polaroid photographs in a grid. He evolved his style to photo lab processed 35mm photographs, creating abstract representations of the scenes he had photographed in a more organic layout. Photos were taken over a number of minutes, highlighting Hockney’s interest in showing the passing of time, and often show slightly different perspectives of the subject. Deeply inspired by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Greorge Braque, Hockney’s photographic collages are a historical nod to the cubist collages that inspired him. He remains one of the greatest living artists of his generation.


Read More

Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artists to Watch: California

With this inaugural auction, we take great pride in introducing ten esteemed artists who persistently enrich the tapestry of California art.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Spring Modern + Contemporary Art Highlights

This March we are excited to present several very special works in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

The Collection of Allan Stone

From 1960 to 2020, Stone had a prominent New York City gallery that was known for showing artists such as: Wayne Thiebaud, Eva Hesse, Jack Whitten, and more.

  • Estate Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Hua Yan

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Asian Art

Clars’ Asian Art department saw auction success from Hua Yan (1682–1756), Landscape, which commended a total of $63,000 in the May Fine Asian Art & Collectibles Auction.


Hua Yan, Landscape.
Hua Yan (1682–1756), Landscape, ink and color on silk.
Sold: $63,000

Yan’s audacious use of color and brushwork has made him an inspiration for modern Chinese painters and a favorite amongst collectors.


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Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Joan Brown

This March at Clars we are proud to feature a work on paper and a print by one of the most well-loved modern artists of Bay Area origin.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

February Asian Art Highlights

This February 16th, the Asian Art Department will offer a diverse array of Asian masterpieces that span several cultures and historical periods.

  • Asian Art
  • Auction

Artist Spotlight: Paul Sawyier

Sawyier is known primarily for his watercolor depictions of scenery in Kentucky and New York.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artist Spotlight: Joseph Raphael

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Joseph Raphael, a California native, studied at the California School of Design.

He saved money during the 1890s, first as a newspaper illustrator and later as a sign painter, to continue his artistic studies overseas. He spent most of his life aboard, living 36 years in Paris and the Netherlands.


Joseph Raphael, <em>Portrait of a Young Lady</em>.
Joseph Raphael (American, 1869–1950), Portrait of a Young Lady, oil on canvas (laid down on board), 16″ x 12.25″.
Sold: $3,780

Keeping strong ties to San Francisco, he exhibited his paintings regularly in local shows and through Albert Bender, a patron of early works of Ansel Adams and Diego Rivera. Before World War II, he returned to San Francisco and maintained a studio on 345 Sutter Street until his death on December 11, 1950.


Read More

Artist Spotlight: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weinman’s work embraces both the storied past of his influences and predecessors as well as the developing aesthetic of the modern era.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Fine Art

Artists to Watch: California

With this inaugural auction, we take great pride in introducing ten esteemed artists who persistently enrich the tapestry of California art.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Spring Modern + Contemporary Art Highlights

This March we are excited to present several very special works in our Spring Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.

  • Auction
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Hernando Ruiz Ocampo

Ocampo developed a singular style that expressed the Filipino experience through emotive color, form, and abstraction.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

Artist Spotlight: Matt Gondek

Gondek is known for colorful canvases with thick, bold lines depicting cartoon and comic book characters from the late 20th century.

  • Artist Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary

The Collection of Allan Stone

From 1960 to 2020, Stone had a prominent New York City gallery that was known for showing artists such as: Wayne Thiebaud, Eva Hesse, Jack Whitten, and more.

  • Estate Spotlight
  • Modern + Contemporary