Join us on Instagram for a live discussion on appraising Haitian Art, January 2nd 12 noon, EST

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  In honor of today being the 1st day of a new year and Haitian Independence Day, I'll be answering your questions live on Instagram tomorrow, January 2nd, 2021 at 12 noon EST on appraising, buying, and selling Haitian Art. Follow us on IG: @atfa_appraisals.  

Come with your questions, artwork, and good energy.  Ayibobo!

On My Bookshelf

 

Season's Greetings

 

Richmond Barthe's "Feral Benga" Sells for 629,000 USD at Swann's African-American Fine Art Auction, June 4, 2020

On Thursday, June 4th, Swann Auction Galleries sale of African-American Fine Art included a record breaking price of 629,000 USD (with buyer's premium) for sculptor Richmond Barthe's Feral Benga.  The cast bronze sculpture with dark patina modeled in 1935 and cast in 1986 reached a hammer price of 520,000 USD, nearly 9 times its high estimate of 60,000 USD.

The signed 19 inch sculpture (excluding marble base) is numbered 1/10 and  cast under the supervision of the artist and the Richmond Barthé Trust.  Swann's sale of African-American Fine Art, April 2013 sold edition number 9/10 for 43,200 USD.

James Richmond Barthé (American, 1901-1989), known for his works depicting the Black experience and for his studies of the male physique, was a leading member of the Harlem Renaissance. Born in Mississippi, he was trained at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League in New York.  

Feral Benga has been described as "Barthé's signature piece." It portrays François (a.k.a. Feral) Benga, a Senegalese cabaret dancer, who, like his female counterpart Josephine Baker, created a sensation on the Paris stage with his "carnal choreography often set in steamy and distant places." Barthé saw Benga perform in 1934 and began modeling the sculpture immediately after his return to New York City. The resulting work is a powerful blend of traditional European modes of sculpture combined with elements of modernity and the African American experience.  (Source: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

Féral Benga, 1937, by Carl Van Vechten  (Library of Congress)

Other Recent Auction Sales of Barthe's Sculpture

Inner Music, 1961/1986.  Bronze on marble base.  23-1/2 inches (height).  Signed and dated 86, AP. Sold for 62,500 USD at Black Art Auction, May 16, 2020. (see below, left)

Girl Putting Flower in Hair, 1965/1987.  Bronze on a marble base.  20 inches (height).  Signed, dated 87, AP. Sold for 27,500 USD at Black Art Auction, May 16, 2020.

The Awakening of Africa (Africa Awakening), 1959. Cast bronze with a dark brown patina. Approximately 15 x 28 x 8. Signed "BARTHÉ" on the top of bronze base. Sold for 87,500 USD at Swann Auction Galleries, African-American Fine Art, October 5, 2017.

Publications

Lewis, Samella Sanders, and Richmond Barthé. Barthé: His Life in Art. Los Angeles, Calif: Unity Works, 2009.

Smalls, James. Féral Benga: African Muse of Modernism. Nka 1 November 2017; 2017 (41): 44–59.

Vendryes, Margaret Rose. Barthé: A Life in Sculpture.     Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2008.

Top Five Results of Swann's Oct. 8 African-American Art Sale

As we roll into fall, the Tuesday, October 8, 2019 auction of African-American Art generates thrilling results for buyers at all price levels.  The top five results of the sale (including buyer's premium) list the more familiar names (found in African-American art history texts) along with a new auction record by abstract artist, Kenneth Victor Young.

Lot 63: ELIZABETH CATLETT (1915 - 2012)
Seated Woman. Carved mahogany, 1962. 22 1/2x13 1/2x7 inches. Initialed "EC" at the back base edge, lower right. 389,000 USD Auction Record

Lot 7: HENRY OSSAWA TANNER (1859 - 1937) At the Gates (Flight into Egypt),
24x19 inches. Signed in oil, lower left. 341,000 USD

Lot 95: KENNETH VICTOR YOUNG (1933 - 2017)
Untitled (Abstract Composition). Acrylic on cotton canvas, 1972. 2007x2997 mm; 79x118 inches. Signed and dated "72" in ink on the canvas overflap, upper edge verso. 233,000 USD Auction Record

Lot 85: ROMARE BEARDEN (1911 - 1988)
Girl in a Garden. Collage of various papers and printed fabrics, with ink and surface abrasion, mounted on masonite board, 1972. 22x14 inches. Signed in blue ink, upper left. 197,000 USD

Lot 10: ALLAN ROHAN CRITE (1910 - 2007)
Play at Dark (Westminster Street, Madison Park). Oil on canvas board, 1935. 610x457 mm; 24x18 inches. Signed and initialed in oil, lower left recto. Signed, initialed, dated in oil (twice), verso. Signed, titled and inscribed "Westminster Street, Madison Park" in pencil, verso. 185,000 USD Auction Record

Summer Reading?

Reading a book? During the summer?  I didn't set out to read any books this summer.  My already over-booked schedule wouldn't allow for it.  Couldn't even entertain the thought.  Between school work, appraisals, and the always engaging history projects, I was doing more than enough reading.  Or so I thought.  Yet, after reconciling library fees on overdue DVDs, I couldn't help but peruse the new arrivals section of history and art books at the Westfield Memorial Library.  I came across not one, not two, but three titles that just wouldn't let me walk away. Ugh! where do I start?  Well...the first selection was magnetically appealing.

Old In Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by artist and historian Nell Painter is an inspiring narrative on blazing new trails in the next phase of life.  This book was an easy first pick since it spoke to both of my personal and professional passions: history and visual art.  Painter shared tender stories of managing aging parents, navigating suburban commutes, and showing-up prepared and experienced (old) among millennial art students and teachers anxious to keep her placed in a particular box of expectations.  I loved how she manifested herself at every encounter: deeply listening and reflecting on some tough lessons learned, and applying new insights gained from outside supporters.  Her grit and determination was infectious, and exhausting at times as mounting responsibilities threatened to challenge her focus.


The most fun I had with this book was entrance into art school.  What drew me into the narrative where the colors and forms of her experience.  From sober grays to energetic greens of the natural landscapes, to the abstract fashions of budding and seasoned artists, Painter shared vivid details of the design of her art school life.  I loved how she took us on shopping excursions to the West Orange art supply store, Jerry's, and how she described her relationship to the  different art materials: paper types, paints, pencils and brushes.  The book is well-illustrated with examples of her evolving oeuvre.  She pairs the examples with commentary from peers, teachers, and her outside support network.  Painter was also quite candid about feelings of doubt as she navigated art studies.  Her village of family, friends, artists, scholars, and select peers and teachers really made the difference.

In reading Old in Art School, one also recognizes who is allowed to participate in "The Art World": what are the socio-economic and racial factors that have traditionally characterized an art school student?  Who is an artist, and where do artists reside?  How does one gain entrance into "The Art World?"  Throughout the text, Painter discusses the issue of age, and ageism.  Apart from the human insecurities one might expect with undertaking a tremendous shift in ones life, there is this agonizing no win situation of double-consciousness (1): this sense of viewing oneself through the social identities imposed by others.  For this book, I read those identities in terms of age, gender, location, and race.  You might feel differently after reading the book.

In summary, Old in Art School is a refreshing, sobering adventure book.  It helped me to see how one might tackle a long-desired dream that will not rest.  No matter the outcomes, you are called to realize your authentic self in the form that works best for you, loving yourself courageously and abundantly.

TED-ed presentation on the work of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

This video is a super cool animated review of the inspirations, approach, and techniques behind artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's work.  Every time I see his work I discover a deeper layer of his artistry.  This video provoked me to think more about his contributions as a history painting.

Follow ATFA Appraisals on Instagram for images from our visit to The Brant Foundation's inaugural exhibition, featuring Basquiat's work thru May 15, 2019.

New to Art Collecting? Concerned about the price of Fine Art? Consider Collecting Haitian Art

Holiday Sale Wilson Bigaud Painting

Several years ago, I published an article on collecting art and being consumer savvy smart about the process.  One of the segments of the art market that is undervalued and worthy of attention is Haitian art.  As an appraiser and art advisor, I'm approached by a fair number of people a week who are interested in selling Haitian art that they've collected or have inherited.  Thankfully, Haitian art has a foundation of art professionals -- that owners can navigate -- who support market activity including art historians (scholars & authenticators), auction houses, dealers/gallerists, appraisers, conservators, curators, artists, publishers/writers, and collectors.  Among a sea of market scenes and village life by unlisted artists, are these gems by Haitian masters, such as this example by Wilson Bigaud.  With an excellent provenance and a genre of work that doesn't come to market often, you have the opportunity to participate in the advocacy of Haitian art's legacy, -- which draws its origins from the era of the Haitian Revolution (1804) -- and start or add to your burgeoning art collection an artwork of aesthetic appeal with consumer confidence. 

 

Wilson Bigaud (Haitian, 1931-2010)

Untitled (Fish Lady), c. 1960s

Oil on board, 24 x 16 inches

Good condition, Framed

Artist signature (see below)

Private collection (FL); Acquired directly from the artist

Holiday Discount Price -- $ 2,300

CONTACT US: info[at]atfaappraisals.com

Artist Biography. Wilson Bigaud (1931-2010) was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After starting out as a sculptor in clay, in 1946 Bigaud was introduced to Dewitt Peters [founder of the Centre d'Art], who discouraged him from continuing in that medium, suggesting he turn his talents to painting. He enrolled at the Centre d'Art and began to paint under the direction of Maurice Borno. His canvas entitled "Paradise" won second prize at an International Exhibition in Washington in 1950 and is now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In the same year Bigaud painted his masterpiece, "The Wedding of Cana", the famous murals of the Episcopal Cathedral in Port-au-Prince. Bigaud was able to establish convincingly the biblical story of the translation of water into wine in a wholly Haitian setting precisely because as a lifelong worshiper of loas he had witnessed such "miracles" during vodou ceremonies. The body of his work represents his customary themes: everyday life in Haiti, violence, color, the mysteries of vodou, all bathed in the golden light characteristic of his work.

Bigaud suffered from severe depression for most of his life, which caused him to cease painting almost entirely for many years. Dewitt Peters described Bigaud as "obsessed by the fear of losing his gift," and the artist's friends believed that he had made a pact with a houngan - a voodoo priest - to preserve his talent. Bigaud is without question one of the major figures of Haitian painting. (Source: LatinAmericanArt.com )

Market Report. Untitled (Fish Lady) is an early example of this genre of painting produced by Bigaud.  Through a collection of portraits that show a larger than life central figure, we see everyday people of small villages in their role as sellers of fish, chicken, fruit, and other home goods.  As the figures dominate the picture frame we come to understand the individual's importance in the local community.  Bigaud produced other portraits in the same style as the local vendors but featuring folkoric figures such as a mermaid, a nude figure in a garden, and village men at a poker game.  Untitled (Fish Lady) ranks as a superior quality because of its high quality craftsmanship, coherent design, condition, medium, and provenance.

Private dealers are the best market for the sale of Haitian Art, an undervalued segment of the global art market.  Dealers of Haitian Art are found in the Caribbean, Europe, and North America.  Asking prices for comparable works at private dealers range from 2,800 - 6,000 USD.

Wilson Bigaud's work is also sold on the secondary market.  According to auction records on Askart.com, Bigaud sells more oil paintings than acrylic, or tempera.  Sixty-seven percent of Bigaud's lots on the auction market are sold.  Over the   last ten years, his highest total USD in sales/year occurred in 2015, 2012, and 2011.  Here   are a few examples of recent auction sales for Wilson Bigaud:

*Marriage at Cana sold at Material Culture, November 29, 2015, 4,062.50 USD

(with buyer's premium);

*Village Cemetery sold at Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches, November 23, 2015, 

7,995 USD (with buyer's premium); and

*La Revelation Rara, 1956 sold at Christies, February 28, 2012, for 6,250 USD (with buyer's

premium).

A Look at the African American Art Market

This is a thoughtful commentary on the African American Art Market by art appraiser and advisor, Dr. Halima Taha.  The interview was conducted by Black Art in America's Najee Dorsey.

Sam Gilliam's "Rays" Sells at Sotheby's for 684.5 million USD

Estimated for 100,000 -  150,000 USD, Sam Gilliam's Rays, sold at Sotheby's Contemporary Curated sale (9/27/17) for 684.5 million USD. 

The acrylic on canvas work which measures 48 x 78 x 2 inches, and was produced in 1971.

Basquiat tops list of 25 Artists in nearly 50% of Contemporary Art Sales

Art market analysis by Artnet news states:

The ‘Winner Takes All’ Art Market: 25 Artists Account for Nearly 50% of All Contemporary Auction Sales

Jean-Michel Basquiat heads the list with total sales of $242 million for January - July 2017.   He is the sole African-American artist listed; same for 2007 and 2016.  Earlier this year, Jean Michel-Basquiat's Untitled (1982), sold at Sotheby's New York for 110.5 million USD, an auction record for the artist and for an American artist.

Disaster Relief Resources

The Smithsonian's Culture Rescue Initiative has a list of resources to assist in disaster relief.  Here are a few resources to assist collectors of artworks.  The list is both helpful to individuals and institutions. The full list is found here.

The ERS: Emergency Response and Salvage app out­lines critical stages of disaster response and provides prac­tical salvage tips for nine types of objects, from photo­graphs to textiles to furniture. Available free of charge for Apple, Android, and BlackBerry devices. Based on the original Wheel (see next entry). (Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation)
Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel, a slide chart that contains action steps on one side and salvage steps on the other. Also available in Spanish. (Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation)
A 10-minute video, “Water Segment from the Field Guide to Emergency Response,” demonstrates how to rescue soaked photographs, books, documents, and other valued items.  (Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation)
What To Do If Collections Get Wet (for collecting institutions). Covers first actions, how to air dry collections, freezing materials, dealing with mold and smoke and soot, and dealing with other contamination. Includes a response video. (Library of Congress)
Conserve O Grams. Short, focused leaflets about caring for museum objects. See Section 21 on Disaster Response and Recovery, especially the “Salvage at a Glance” series. (Museum Management Program, National Park Service, Department of the Interior)
Records Emergency Information. How to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies affecting governmental and cultural property records. (National Archives and Records Administration)
Records Recovery Vendors. Contact information for companies experienced in recovering collection materials. Note caveats and disclaimers. (National Archives and Records Administration)
Disaster Recovery for Films in Flooded Areas. Practical and useful information on recovering film after a flood. (Association of Moving Image Archivists)
The Foundation of the American Institute for Conserva­tion’s emergency response team, the National Heritage Responders, offers a free 24/7 emer­gency hotline that provides guidance to cultural institutions on the salvage of collections: 202-661-8068
Find a Conservator. If a valuable or important item is badly damaged or has been exposed to contaminated water, a professional conservator may be able to help salvage it. Identify and locate professional conservation services using this tool. (American Institute for Conservation)
Preparation and Recovery: After a Flood. A checklist for beginning to restore your home. (National Flood Insurance Program)
ArtsReady provides Useful Links to guidance and aid for artists and arts organizations. Scroll down to the Recovery heading.
The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) provides Disaster and Emergency Resources, technical bulletins that address disaster recovery needs integral to operating any collection-holding institution.

Some exhibitions to see around town - Fall 2017

It's the fall and there are some really terrific exhibitions to see in the New York/New Jersey area.

Barbara Chase-Riboud at Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, through November 4, 2017

Songs of Freedom at JCC in Harlem, through April 15, 2018

Kara Walker - "The most Astounding and Important Painting show of the fall Art Show viewing season!" at Sikkema Jenkins & Co., through October 14, 2017

Jeff Sonhouse at Tilton Gallery, through October 28, 2017

Dominique Duroseau - Black Things in White Spaces at Gallery Aferro, September 23 - October 28, 2017

La Huella Magistral/The Majestic Impression at Taller Boricua Gallery, September 22 - October 28, 2017

Thank you Jonathan Demme

Last week the international art community lost a great friend and comrade in Jonathan Demme (1944-2017).  He was a dedicated advocate of Haitian art, Caribbean art, and outsider art.  I agree with the sentiments of one way to honor Jonathan is to learn more about Haiti.  Here are a few resources I've come across that talk about Jonathan's work with Haiti, and his rich collection of Haitian art.

A Farewell to Jonathan Demme

A Look into Jonathan Demme’s History of Collecting Outsider Art

One way to honor Jonathan Demme: learn more about Haiti 

Why Jonathan Demme loves Haiti

 

African Art Auctions in New York - May 2017

There are a handful of African Art auctions and dealer sales to be held next month, May 2017.

Sotheby's has a May 15th sale of various owners.  A highlight of the sale is a Chokwe Female Statue, Angola.  It is also the highest estimated sale price.

 On May 19th, Christie's sale, Timeless: Masterworks of African Art, consists of twelve (12) important works of traditional African Art.  The sale includes a Dogon Maternity Group, Baule Janiform Male and Female Figure, and Fang Ngumba Figure.

 Bonham's is holding a sale of African, Oceanic, and Pre-Columbian Art on May 23rd.

Madison Ancient and Tribal Art (MATA) dealers exhibit African and other tribal arts in New York, May 12-14 at Arader Gallery.

Some exhibitions to see in the New York/New Jersey area, but hurry!

About Women at Flomenhaft Gallery (January 6 - February 8, 2017)

Carmen Herrera: Lines of Sight at Whitney Museum of American Art (closes Monday, January 9, 2017)

Ed Clark: Paintings at Jack Tilton Gallery (January 10 - February 17, 2017)

Flor Garduño Photography at Throckmorton Fine Art (closes Saturday, February 25, 2017)

Kerry James Marshall: Mastry at The MET Breuer (closes Sunday, January 29, 2017)

Modern Heroics: 75 Years of African-American Expressionism at the Newark Museum (closes Sunday, January 8, 2017)

Richard Hunt: Framed and Extended at Studio Museum in Harlem (closes Sunday, January 15, 2017)

Tribal Art Sales in May 2016

Select members of Madison Ancient and Tribal Art will be exhibiting art of traditional cultures May 5 - 8 in New York City.  This is a great opportunity for collectors to witness the range of non-Western art forms in traditional African, Oceanic, Asian, and Pre-Colombian/Meso-American art forms.

The two-volume sale of African Art from the collection of Daniel and Marian Malcolm is scheduled to take place at Sotheby's New York on May 7th, and Sotheby's Paris on June 22nd.

Christie's New York presents Evolution of Form: African & Oceanic Art at the Genesis of Modernism on May 12th.   Christie's Paris presents Art D'Afrique et D'Oceanie on June 23rd.

Save A Museum Art Sale - Sunday, April 17, 2016

You may remember that ATFA Appraisals was one of the supporters of the Save A Museum art sale at Kenkeleba Gallery in New York City in 2013.  This year, the board and members of the Toussaint Louverture Cultural Foundation are hosting another sale of the remaining works.

On Sunday, April 17th from 2pm to 7pm, Haitian fine art donated by collectors and artists, world-wide, will be available for sale in an effort to raise funds for the repair of the Musee d'Art Haitien du College St. Pierre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  The Musee was damaged during the January 12, 2010 earthquake and has not reopened to the public.

View a collection of fine art works from some of Haiti's most laudable artists.  An exhibition catalog is available for sale.  Donations are also welcome.  Sale and donations are tax deductible.  Contact the coordinators at 917-499-3638 and express your interest in attending and supporting this important effort.

Chief S.O. Alonge: Photographer to the Royal Court of Benin, Nigeria

I haven't seen this exhibit yet -- and I plan to -- but I wanted to call your attention to: Chief S.O. Alonge: Photographer to the Royal Court of Benin, Nigeria.  The exhibit ends July 31, 2016 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art.  The website is full of good educational material including historical and contemporary photographs from Alonge's studio.

 

Happy Holidays 2015

Happy Holidays

Professor Richard Powell discusses the Archibald Motley exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City.  This discussion took place on the Charlie Rose Show.