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:

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:

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.

Get A Valuation

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

Buy Fine Art Paintings

Clars provides multiple ways to participate in our auctions, making it simple to acquire works from world-class artists. Buyers can choose:

Our online catalogs are published in advance of every sale, giving buyers ample opportunity to preview artworks, research provenance, and plan their bidding strategies. With the support of our specialists, you can confidently take part in the market for fine art painting auctions.

Ways to Buy

Upcoming Auctions & Events

Clars hosts seasonal and specialty fine art auctions featuring a curated selection of paintings, from Old Masters to contemporary works. If you have inquiries, reach out to us. We look forward to assisting you with all your auction and appraisal needs!

View Auction Calendar

Explore All Available Fine Art

Beyond Fine Art Paintings, Clars Auctions also presents an extensive selection of other categories within our Fine Art department, including photography, works on paper, sculptures, and prints & multiples. Each category complements the others, offering collectors a broad perspective of the fine art market.

Browse the Full Fine Art Collection