Fine Art

The Fine Art department’s appraisers and specialists at Clars Auctions are dedicated to delivering exceptional results across a wide range of eras and mediums. Specializing in works by world-renowned artists, our goal is to achieve record-breaking prices for our clients.

Featured Pieces

Our collection features iconic works from notable artists across various mediums. From classic paintings to contemporary photography, each piece is appraised and valued with the utmost care by our expert fine art specialists to ensure its market value.

Fine Art Paintings

Clars Auctions is a premier destination for fine art painting auctions, serving collectors, institutions, and estates across California and beyond.

Our specialists have decades of experience in the appraisal and sale of paintings across a wide range of periods, genres, and styles. Whether you wish to consign a family heirloom, expand your collection, or request a fine art appraisal, we are committed to delivering trusted guidance and exceptional results.


Dia al-Azzawi (Iraqi, b. 1939), Sleeping Bird, 1981, oil on canvas, 47.25″ x 39.38″ (120 x 100 cm). Sold: $72,050
Dia al-Azzawi (Iraqi, b. 1939), Sleeping Bird, 1981, oil on canvas, 47.25″ x 39.38″ (120 x 100 cm).
Sold: $72,050

Fine Art Paintings We Sell

Paintings have long been at the heart of the art world, capturing the imagination of collectors and institutions alike. At Clars, our fine art auctions feature works spanning centuries and movements, offering both historic and modern perspectives. Our Fine Art Paintings department includes:

  • Old Master & 19th-Century Paintings: Timeless works featuring biblical themes, portraiture, and landscapes, created by European masters and recognized for their rich detail and cultural impact.
  • Impressionist & Post-Impressionist Works: Paintings that highlight light, movement, and vibrant color, often from iconic names that shaped modern art’s evolution.
  • Modern Art: Distinct pieces emphasizing abstraction, form, and bold creativity, reflecting the spirit of 20th-century innovation.
  • Contemporary Paintings: Works by living artists pushing the boundaries of style and subject matter, from large-scale canvases to mixed-media explorations.
  • American & Regional Art: Celebrated works capturing American landscapes, cultural identity, and regional movements, including California Impressionism and Western art.
  • Global Works: Acquisitions that reflect a variety of traditions and cultural contexts, from Asia to Latin America, appealing to international collectors.

Each piece offered in our fine art painting auctions in the Bay Area undergoes expert research, authentication, and cataloging to ensure both historical accuracy and market confidence.

Sell Fine Art Paintings

If you are considering selling paintings, Clars makes the process straightforward and rewarding. Our experienced team of fine art specialists provides accurate and reliable valuations, ensuring your work is positioned for success.

We offer:

  • Complimentary initial consultations and free art valuation
  • In-depth fine art appraisals for fair market, estate, and insurance purposes
  • Tailored sale proposals, whether for a single piece or an entire collection
  • Global marketing through our international auction network

As trusted fine art auctioneers, we handle every detail — from photography and cataloging to marketing and auction execution — so you can feel confident throughout the process.

Sale Highlights

Raimonds Staprans (American/Latvian, b. 1926), The Mid Summer Drop-Leaf Table, 1993, oil on canvas, 48″ x 42″.
Sold: $189,000

CEO & President

Rick Unruh

Rick Unruh has been CEO and President of Clars since 2019 and Director of Fine Art since 2010. Under his leadership, Clars’ Fine Art department has had numerous world auction records, as well as, over a decade of consecutive record years of sales growth with over $150 million sold in the fine art division during his tenure. Among his notable achievements, Rick was responsible for the recent sale of Salvador Dali’s painting, Portrait of Mrs. Luther Greene, which sold for $720,000 as well as Loie Hollowell’s mixed media work, Point of Entry (Blood-Orange Moon Over Orange Sac), selling for $1,050,000. Prior to this, Rick was an institutional equities trader with several international investment banking firms in New York and Paris. Rick has established numerous client relationships with affluent collectors, corporations, museums, galleries, and dealers both in the U.S. and internationally. He has also been a regular guest commentator on several West Coast PBS television stations.

Consign with Rick

Associate Director, Fine Art

Alexa Malvino

Alexa Malvino has been with the company since 2014. Ms. Malvino received her Master’s in Art History from San Francisco State University, with a focus on printmaking, along with her Bachelor of Arts in the History of Art and Visual Culture from University California, Santa Cruz. Today, she manages the print multiples, photography, and contemporary art sales at Clars. Alexa is also one of the auctioneers at the gallery.

Consign with Alexa

Senior Specialist, Fine Art

Erin Cabral

Erin Cabral is a Senior Specialist in the Fine Art Department at Clars. She has worked in the auction industry for over a decade beginning her career at Bonhams in San Francisco where she was a cataloguer then specialist in the California and Western Paintings and Sculpture department. Prior to joining Clars, Erin was the Fine Art Specialist at Fine Estate Inc. She has also worked in fine art galleries, most recently at Berggruen Gallery in San Francisco. Erin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from the University of California, Davis.

Consign with Erin

Buying Fine Art

Experience the thrill of acquiring extraordinary treasures at our fine art auctions. Our platform offers both live and online bidding options, making it easy for you to add exceptional pieces to your collection.

Selling Fine Art

Trust our expert team of fine art appraisers and specialists to handle your consignments with precision and care. With extensive experience as fine art auctioneers, we ensure your art reaches the right buyers and achieves top market value.

About Clars

With decades of experience, Clars Auctions has become a cornerstone in the Bay Area auction community, known for our integrity, expertise, and commitment to excellence. We invite you to visit our Oakland gallery to learn more about our history, our team, and what makes us leaders in the industry.

Upcoming Auctions

Stay up-to-date with our fine art auctions featuring masterpieces that span centuries and styles. Join us for live events or participate in our online fine art auctions to discover rare finds.