Louis Comfort Tiffany was a prolific American designer whose career spanned from the 1870s–1920s. While he was most well known for his stained glass, he produced pieces in a variety of mediums, including pottery, metalwork, and lighting.
At the close of the 19th century, Louis Comfort Tiffany first developed Favrile glass. Deeply impressed from a recent trip to Europe in the 1860s, Tiffany drew inspiration from Roman and Syrian glass making. After much experimenting, Tiffany’s technique of ingraining color within the glass set it apart from other types of iridescent glass, resulting in the beautiful distinctive hues of Favrile glass.
Tiffany Studios, New York, Venetian table lamp, circa 1910. Sold: $106,250
Tiffany was also largely inspired by nature – he was captivated by the array of lush colors of flowers and plants. This attraction to color also contributed to the brilliant shades featured in Favrile glass objects.
Tiffany Studios, New York, Favrile Urn. Sold: $504
Tiffany went on to win a grand prize at the 1900 Paris Exposition (the World’s Fair), for his Favrile glass. Later, he began producing lamps and large stained-glass Favrile pieces, cementing himself as one of the most influential figures in the Art Nouveau style through to the Arts and Crafts period.
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.
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
Summer Modern + Contemporary Art Highlights
Auction
Modern + Contemporary
This June 15th at Clars Auction Gallery, we are excited to offer a number of excellent pieces by esteemed artists throughout the Modern and Contemporary periods.
First featured is a photo-collage by influential English artist, David Hockney. Titled Gregory Watching the Snowfall, Kyoto, February 21st, 1983, the arrangement of violet-toned photographs depicts Hockney’s partner, assistant, and frequent model, Gregory Evans, lying in bed and looking out the window of a Japanese washitsu at the garden outside.
David Hockney (British, b. 1937), Gregory Watching the Snowfall, Kyoto, Feb. 21st 1983, 1983, photograph collage on paper, 46.6″ x 43.6″. Estimate: $25,000–$35,000
Louis Valtat (French, 1869–1952), Fraises, circa 1902, oil on board, 10.75″ x 13.5″. Estimate: $20,000–$30,000
Another highlight in the June sale is an oil on board painting by French Fauve artist, Louis Valtat. The work, titled Fraises, depicts a cluster of bright red strawberries on a deep green lettuce leaf. Valtat’s technique blends the color-forward elements of Fauvism with the expressive brushwork of Impressionism to create a sense of movement in a traditional still-life composition.
Jasper Johns (American, b. 1930), Flag (Moratorium), 1969, offset lithograph in colors, edition 97/300, 17″ x 26″. Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
Lastly, we are presenting a signed multiple by American Neo-Dadaist, Jasper Johns. Titled Flag (Moratorium), the print is a rendering of perhaps Johns’ most well-known subject: the American flag. This work was made to commemorate the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations that took place in 1969. The symbolic use of orange and camouflage-green tones, along with a white “bullet hole” in the center of the image, is meant to highlight the violence that occurred throughout the controversial war.
Paul Klee (German, 1879–1940), Fragment einer Wandmalerei (Fragment of a Mural Painting), 1933, watercolor and titanium white glue on paper laid down on cardboard, 7.5″ x 9.75″. Estimate: $50,000–$70,000
Alecos Fassianos (Greek, 1935–2022), Figure in Blue, 1963, oil on canvas, 39″ x 51.75″. Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
This sale will also offer additional important works by renowned artists such as Rafael Coronel, Brett Weston, Milton Reskin, Wayne Thiebaud, and Hunt Slonem.
Brett Weston (American, 1911–1993), White Sands, 1949, portfolio of twelve (12) gelatin silver prints, 7.75″ x 9.5″. Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
Gunther Gerzso (Mexican, 1915–2000), Eleysis III, 1961, oil on canvas affixed to board, 17″ x 12.75″. Estimate: $12,000–$18,000
Rafael Coronel (Mexican, 1932–2019), Gudelia, 1961, oil on board, 40.5″ x 30.5″. Estimate: $10,000–$15,000
March Avery (American, b. 1932), Resting Nude, 1989, oil on canvas, 18.25″ x 42.25″. Estimate: $10,000–$15,000
Brett Weston (American, 1911–1993), Abstractions II, 1927–1980, portfolio of twenty (20) gelatin silver prints, 10.75″ x 13.75″. Estimate: $10,000–$15,000
(lot of 2) Franz Hagenauer (Austrian, 1906–1986), Male and Female Busts, circa 1935, stainless steel sculptures. Estimate: $8,000–$12,000
Wayne Thiebaud (American, 1920–2011), Portrait of Jean Lee Porter, 1951/52, oil on canvas/board, 16″ x 12″. Estimate: $8,000–$12,000
Hunt Slonem (American, b. 1951), Untitled, 2014, oil on wood panel, 24″ x 20″. Estimate: $8,000–$12,000
Marcel Dyf (French, 1899–1985), Untitled (Still Life with Flowers), 1969, oil on canvas, 28.75″ x 23.5″. Estimate: $7,000–$10,000
Salvador Dali (Spanish/1904–1989), Le Decameron, 1972, portfolio of ten (10) drypoint etchings, 18.5″ x 13.5″. Estimate: $7,000–$10,000
Bill Brandt (British, 1904–1983), London (Nude with Bent Elbow), 1952, gelatin silver print, 13.5″ x 11.5″. Estimate: $6,000–$9,000
Nathan Oliveira (American, 1928–2010), Angel Rocker, 2005, color sugar lift aquatint and drypoint etching, 44.5″ x 35.25″. Estimate: $6,000–$9,000
Freedom or Slavery: The Paul Robeson Portfolio, 1998, a portfolio of fourteen (14) screenprints, including works by Elizabeth Catlett, Betye Saar, Erique Chagoya, Rupert Garcia, Raymond Saunders, 25.25″ x 20″. Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
Squeak Carnwath (American, b. 1947), Not Fact, 1996, oil and alkyd on canvas, 55″ x 55″. Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
Clars is excited to present The Maritime Sale on April 18th, our Furniture, Art, Jewelry & Asian Auction on April 19th, and our Warehouse Auction on April 20th.
Clars is excited to present our Furniture, Art & Asian Auction on March 22nd and our Warehouse Auction on March 23rd.
Auction
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 (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.
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 (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.
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
From the Estate of Rita Moreno
Estate Spotlight
Modern + Contemporary
Clars will be offering select items from the personal collection of EGOT winning actress, the legendary Rita Moreno, at our Summer Modern + Contemporary Art + Design Auction.
Rita Moreno, Robe and dress, 1990s, West End London Production of Sunset Blvd. Sold: $4,095
Rita Moreno, purple and green mini dress with fringed shoulders, label for Elizabeth Courtney Costumes, Hollywood. Sold: $2,268
Rita’s remarkable career ranges from music, film, and dance. Maybe best known for her Academy-Award winning performance as Anita in the 1962 motion picture, West Side Story, she also worked in both television and the stage later in her career. Items to be offered on June 15th include fine art, stage worn dresses by designers including Bob Mackie, scripts, and awards.
Rita Moreno, mini dress with pink and purple fringe, likely worn at the 1988 Ice Capades T.V. Special. Sold: $756
Frank’s Fisherman, located on San Francisco’s waterfront, was established in 1946 and began as a chandlery for the bay area’s commercial fishing fleet.
On March 21st, Clars will be offering iconic pieces from glass artists, including Dale Chihuly, Dan Dailey, and more.
Design
Estate Spotlight
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 (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.
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: Anthony Liggins
Artist Spotlight
Modern + Contemporary
This May at Clars, we are pleased to offer two acrylic on canvas paintings by Atlanta-Miami-based artist, Anthony Liggins.
Liggins, born in 1965, is a leading figure in the American abstract expressionist resurgence, as well as a prominent African American artist with an international presence.
Anthony Liggins (American, b. 1965), Blue Angel, acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 36″. Estimate $4,000–$6,000
Liggins names music and dance as two of his major inspirations. In the two pieces offered at Clars this month, titled Blue Angel and Sacred Oasis, the impacts of rhythm and movement are apparent. Melting streaks of color echo sonic waves, which are interspersed with repetitive, grid-like dot work, and bold swaths of color play between rigid lines to create a dynamic interaction of the geometric and organic. The two paintings by Anthony Liggins are each estimated at $4,000–$6,000.
Anthony Liggins (American, b. 1965), Sacred Oasis, acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 36″. Estimate: $4,000–$6,000
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: Red Grooms
Artist Spotlight
Modern + Contemporary
Known for the absurdist humor in his Pop Art compositions, Red Grooms has worked as a painter, sculptor, and printmaker, taking the latter method to a new level in the work being offered in Clars’ Fine Interiors & Design Auction.
Red (Charles Rogers) Grooms (American, b. 1937), De Kooning Breaks Out, 1986, three-dimensional lithograph and collage in colors, 43″ x 28.75″ x 7″. Sold: $2,520
The collaged lithograph, titled De Kooning Breaks Out, depicts famed Dutch-American artist Willem de Kooning pedaling a bicycle with a female figure, taken from one of his many Woman paintings, riding on the handlebars. The figures quite literally “break out” in this instance, with the printed paper folding and layered to create a three-dimensional composition. This piece is estimated at $4,000–$6,000.
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: Joan Miró
Artist Spotlight
Modern + Contemporary
“You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture for a second and think of it all your life,” Joan Miro (Spanish, 1893–1983).
Joan Miró (Spanish, 1893–1983), Makemono, 1956, color lithographic scroll in colors on silk with wooden batons (accompanied with original carved and painted wood box), 16.13″ x 382″ (41 x 970 cm). Sold: $16,250
Disrupting the visual elements of established style, Joan Miró was a painter who combined abstract art with surrealist fantasy. He was a leading light of the Surrealist movement, and his work had a significant impact on a wide range of artists — earning Miró recognition as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Joan Miró (Spanish, 1893–1983), Sculptures (M. 950), 1974, lithograph in colors on BFK Rives France, 20″ x 29.5″. Sold: $441
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: Andy Warhol
Artist Spotlight
Modern + Contemporary
Published in 1979, Andy Warhol’s bizarre take on the classic traditional subject of fruit still lifes, titled Space Fruit: Still Life Series, underscores his evolving interest in abstract art in the late 1970s.
He placed many pieces of fruit against a white background and cast harsh light upon them to create exaggerated shadows and light-based contrast.
Andy Warhol (American, 1928–1987), Peaches from Space Fruit: Still Life Series, 1979, screenprint, 30″ x 40″. Sold: $17,500
Peaches, a work from the series, gives Warhol space to experiment with colors and compositions, showcasing his interest in vibrant unrealistic colors and exaggerated shadows. Presenting an original view of a peach, this work pushed boundaries between the depiction of nature and consumer products. This series is highly sought after by the collectors and Peaches will be offered on March 18th at Clars Auction Gallery.
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.
