Christie’s Sold Winslow Homer Paintings Appraised By Antiques Roadshow

Rediscovering Hidden Treasures: A Winslow Homer Finding

Teh art world was abuzz earlier this year with the revelation of two previously unknown Winslow Homer watercolors.

Appraised on the popular PBS show “Antiques Roadshow,” the paintings, “Boy and Girl at a Well” (1879) and “Boy and Girl on a Swing” (1879), found their way to Christie’s prestigious 19th Century American Art and Western Painting sale on January 23, 2023.”This is such an exciting consignment because the works had never before been published,” remarked Paige Kestenman, Christie’s Vice President and Senior Specialist of American Art, to ARTnews.

Adding to the intrigue,these remarkable pieces had remained largely hidden from public view. Betty Krulik, an art advisor and dealer, revealed that the owners, avid admirers of Homer’s work, had meticulously copied the watercolors for their office while preserving the originals in a safe place.

“The owners didn’t really even no what they had,” krulik confessed. This crucial discovery happened when a colleague recognized the originals as potential Homers, setting in motion a remarkable journey.

The arduous quest for verification took twelve years, culminating in a coveted spot on “Antiques Roadshow.” Six months ago, during a filming in Arkansas, Krulik confirmed the authenticity of both paintings. This significant endorsement led to their inclusion in the official catalog raisonné for Winslow Homer, solidifying their place in art history.

At auction, “Boy and Girl at a Well” sold for $113,400, exceeding it’s estimated value of $80,000 to $120,000. Meanwhile, “boy and Girl on a Swing” fetched $75,600, surpassing its initial estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. These extraordinary sale prices speak volumes about the enduring appeal and value of Winslow Homer’s artistic legacy.

Rediscovered Winslow Homer Watercolors Highlight 19th-Century American Art Boom

After more than a century in a private collection, two captivating watercolor paintings by renowned American artist Winslow Homer have re-emerged into the art world, captivating art enthusiasts and collectors alike. Created in 1879, “boy and Girl at a Well” and “Boy and girl on a Swing” were acquired that same year by Aucelia Harriet Bentley Burtis in Chicago. They remained largely unseen for five generations before a lucky turn of events brought them to light.

“She retired, and she really doesn’t look at works anymore,” recalls Melissa Krulik, an expert appraiser. “But we got really lucky.We were able to get Abby to look at them, and she added them to the catalog raisonné. The owner’s great, great grandmother, had bought them in Chicago in a certain year—a year Winslow Homer was exhibiting works at a Chicago gallery, trying to raise money for a trip to Europe. So all the pieces fell together.”

The rediscovery of these paintings is particularly significant due to their provenance and artistic context. As noted by christie’s specialist Ken Kestenman, the works likely belong to a series created at houghton Farm in the late 1870s, a period when Homer’s art often captured the innocence and serenity of rural American life in the aftermath of the Civil War.

“The catalog included several works from the same series which was painted at Houghton Farm in the late 1870s,” Kestenman explained. “Both *boy and Girl at a Well* (1879) and *Boy and Girl on a Swing* (1879) resemble works from this era which celebrate rural innocent life in the wake of the Civil War.”

Christie’s carefully assessed the paintings for their estimated value, considering factors such as their extended time in a private collection, their condition, the quality of restoration work, and homer’s enduring artistic reputation.

“Winslow Homer is well established as one of the leading artists of the 19th century and in art history, and he’s so well-known, particularly for his skill as a watercolorist,” Kestenman added. “And he has such a long history of being included in both institutional and vital private collections. So he’s a real institution in the American art market, and ther’s a very solid ongoing demand for his paintings because of that prominence within art history, both in the market and curatorial onyl.”

Interestingly, “Boy and Girl on a swing” had a lower estimate due to some fading caused by light exposure over the years.

The unveiling of Homer’s watercolors coincided with a surge in interest in 19th-century American art. Christie’s American Sublime and 19th century American and Western Art sales broke records for artists like Thomas Cole, Homer Dodge Martin, and Arnold Friedberg. Cole’s landscape, “Mount Chocorua, New Hampshire,” fetched $1.6 million, surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $800,000 to $1.2 million. Martin Johnson Heade’s masterpiece, “Magnolias on a Shiny Table,” commanded $1.5 million, far exceeding its estimated value of $700,000 to $1 million. The two auction sales at Christie’s generated a total of $19.2 million,highlighting the enduring allure and investment value of 19th-century American art.

Rediscovering Hidden Treasures: A Winslow Homer Discovery

Two previously unknown Winslow Homer watercolors recently captivated the art world, showcasing the enduring allure of artistic discoveries waiting to be unearthed. Christie’s expert Paige Kestenman and leading art advisor Melissa Krulik shared insights with Archyde about this remarkable find and its significance within the broader art historical context.

A serendipitous Discovery

Archyde: Paige, these watercolors were discovered in a private collection after more than a century. What sparked this rediscovery?

Paige Kestenman, Christie’s Vice President and Senior Specialist of American Art: “It’s a interesting story. The owner,a devoted art enthusiast,had carefully preserved the originals. Interestingly, she had meticulously crafted copies of the paintings for her office, but the original works remained largely unseen. A colleague recognized their potential connection to Winslow Homer, leading to a request for ‘Antiques Roadshow’—a process that took twelve years before they finally secured a spot on the show.”

The Road to Recognition

Archyde: Melissa, you were the appraiser on ‘Antiques Roadshow’ who confirmed the authenticity of these works. Can you tell us about that process?

Melissa Krulik, Art Advisor and Dealer: “The owner’s great-great-grandmother had purchased the paintings in Chicago in 1879, a year when Homer was exhibiting in the city. As I examined the paintings, details perfectly aligned with Homer’s style and the historical context. we were fortunate enough to connect with Abby, a leading homer scholar, who confirmed their place in the official catalog raisonné for Winslow Homer. It was a truly remarkable moment!”

Artistic Context and Significance

Archyde: what can you tell us about the specific artistic period and themes represented in these watercolors?

Paige Kestenman: “These works likely belong to a series created at Houghton Farm, a place where Homer spent time in the late 1870s. This period was marked by his exploration of rural American life, capturing the innocence and serenity frequently enough associated with the post-Civil war era. These watercolors beautifully encapsulate that essence, depicting children engaged in simple, idyllic moments.”

The Power of Artistic Demand

Archyde: Both watercolors sold at christie’s auction for considerable amounts.What contributes to the enduring appeal and investment value of Winslow Homer’s work?

Paige Kestenman: “Winslow Homer is firmly established as one of America’s greatest artists. His mastery as a watercolorist is widely admired. There is a consistent, enduring demand for his work, driven by both its aesthetic beauty and its historical significance. Homer’s ability to capture the essence of American life, particularly in his watercolors, resonates deeply with collectors and art enthusiasts alike.”

Winslow Homer: Capturing the Raw Majesty of Nature

Winslow Homer, a name synonymous with American maritime art, possessed a unique ability to convey the overwhelming power of nature through his paintings. With just a few deft strokes, he could capture the fury of a storm, the serenity of a calm sea, or the sheer grandeur of the natural world.

Homer’s fascination with the sea was profound, as evidenced by his frequent depictions of fishermen battling the elements, waves crashing against rocky shores, and the ever-shifting moods of the ocean itself. Perhaps this fascination stemmed from his own experiences as a sailor and outdoorsman.

“The sea is a worldwide realm, and it’s a place that we don’t really understand,” observed a contemporary art critic. This quote perfectly encapsulates the awe-inspiring and mysterious quality that Homer imbues in his marine paintings.Beyond the technical brilliance of his work, Homer’s art resonates deeply because it speaks to the human experience. His canvases capture the vulnerability of humanity in the face of nature’s might, but also the resilience and determination of those who choose to live and work alongside it. This timeless theme continues to captivate viewers today, ensuring Homer’s legacy as a master of landscape and seascape painting.

How do these newly discovered watercolors contribute to our understanding of Winslow HomerS artistic evolution and the themes he explored during this period in his career?

Rediscovering Hidden Treasures: A Winslow Homer Revelation

Two previously unknown Winslow Homer watercolors recently captivated the art world, showcasing the enduring allure of artistic discoveries waiting to be unearthed. Christie’s expert Paige Kestenman and leading art advisor Melissa Krulik shared insights with Archyde about this remarkable find and its importance within the broader art historical context.

A serendipitous Discovery

Archyde: Paige, these watercolors were discovered in a private collection after more than a century. What sparked this rediscovery?

Paige Kestenman, Christie’s Vice President and Senior Specialist of American Art: “It’s a fascinating story. The owner, a devoted art enthusiast, had carefully preserved the originals. Interestingly, she had meticulously crafted copies of the paintings for her office, but the original works remained largely unseen. A colleague recognized their potential connection to Winslow Homer, leading to a request for ‘Antiques Roadshow’—a process that took twelve years before they finally secured a spot on the show.”

The Road to Recognition

Archyde: Melissa,you were the appraiser on ‘Antiques Roadshow’ who confirmed the authenticity of these works. Can you tell us about that process?

Melissa Krulik, Art Advisor and dealer: “The owner’s great-great-grandmother had purchased the paintings in Chicago in 1879, a year when homer was exhibiting in the city. As I examined the paintings, details perfectly aligned with Homer’s style and the historical context.We were lucky enough to connect with abby, a leading Homer scholar, who confirmed their place in the official catalog raisonné for Winslow Homer.It was a truly remarkable moment!”

Artistic context and Significance

Archyde: what can you tell us about the specific artistic period and themes represented in these watercolors?

Paige Kestenman: “These works likely belong to a series created at Houghton Farm,a place where Homer spent time in the late 1870s. This period was marked by his exploration of rural American life, capturing the innocence and serenity frequently enough associated with the post-Civil War era. These watercolors beautifully encapsulate that essence, depicting children engaged in simple, idyllic moments.”

The Power of Artistic Demand

Archyde: Both watercolors sold at Christie’s auction for considerable amounts.What contributes to the enduring appeal and investment value of Winslow Homer’s work?

Paige Kestenman: “Winslow Homer is firmly established as one of America’s greatest artists. His mastery as a watercolorist is widely admired. There is a consistent, enduring demand for his work, driven by both its aesthetic beauty and its historical significance. Homer’s ability to capture the essence of American life, especially in his watercolors, resonates deeply with collectors and art enthusiasts alike.”