On November 5, Alex Cooper offers a wonderful auction of art. The collection itself comes from the Eleanor McMillan estate. McMillan—great-granddaughter of Theodore Roosevelt—was the first paper conservator at the Smithsonian’s Conservation Analytical Laboratory, working there from 1963 to 1994. She was a founding member of the Washington Conservation Guild, and on the council of the IIC. Before retirement, her work saw her traveling the world to restore centuries-old artistry. After, it simply allowed her to finish building this beautiful collection. Peruse a few of the highlights below, and be sure to check out the remainder of the catalog!
Roswell T. Weidner. "Bodine Field," oil pastel
Roswell T. Weidner (1911 – 1999) showed an incredible affinity for art at a young age. This talent provided him—the son of a bootlegger—a scholarship to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Following his schooling, he worked as a painter underneath the Works Progress Administration, becoming quite influential. This sale offers a chance to own his work, a man whose creations are shown at the Metropolitan Museum, the Library of Congress, the Frick Art Reference Library, and the Smithsonian.
Michael B. Hoyt. Fishing Boats in Harbor, oil
Michael B. Hoyt spent forty years in marketing before joining the art world. Upon that leap, he studied with the Cape Cod School of Art and the Scottsdale Artists School, and developed a focus in oil paintings. Finding inspiration in the Ashcan School and classic impressionism, Hoyt’s work aims to capture the simple and mundane in beautiful ways. Clearly, he has done just that, illustrating the boats surrounding his Carolina home with ease.
James P. Kerr. "Blue Fins," oil
James P. Kerr (b. 1953) has been a painter for over fifty years. He takes a colorist approach to his oil work, the vibrancy of his pieces compelling to the eye. Having studied with Laszlo Szabo and Carl Illig in his teens, Kerr has been sought after since 1966. His works appear in collections throughout the United States, Canada, the West Indies, and Europe. Now, it’s your turn to take ownership.
Thomas Hart Benton. "Spring Tryout," lithograph
Thomas Hart Benton (1886 – 1975) was one of the leaders of the Regionalist movement. The son of a politician, Benton rebelled against expectation to study at The Art Institute of Chicago and Académie Julian. Upon his return from Paris, Benton declared himself “the enemy of modernism;” his tours across the United States saw him painting naturalistic works. Following this excursion, he became a highly praised muralist. Today, his work can be seen at the Metropolitan, the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; his murals are featured at the Met, the Whitney, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Jennifer Glenn. The Smithsonian Mall, oil
A native of New England and a graduate of Yale, Jennifer Glenn’s art quickly focused itself on the sprawling landscape of America. This piece is a lovely example of her more suburban work: the Smithsonian appears small in the natural beauty surrounding it. Today, Wyoming-based Glenn’s work is shown in the House of Representatives, the Nicolaysen Art Museum, and the Yellowstone Art Museum, among others.
Northwest Coast Style Transformation Mask
This gorgeous mask was created by a Native or First Nations craftsman in the late 20th century. Though we don’t know the name of the artist, it is easy to see how skilled they were. The orca’s opening to reveal a human face—often representative of the ancestors walking this earth—is a carving of culture and beauty. This would have been worn during important religious ceremonies. You have the opportunity to enjoy its meaning in your own home.
