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Grogan & Company’s Spring Fine Art Auction Achieves Strong Results with Global Interest
Grogan & Company, a renowned fine art and jewelry auction house based in Boston, Massachusetts, concluded its spring auction season with a highly successful Fine Art Auction on May 10. The event showcased a diverse array of artworks, spanning from 19th-century landscapes to modern pieces, and attracted significant interest from collectors worldwide. The auction achieved a remarkable 92% sell-through rate, with total sales exceeding $1.4 million. Notably, 38% of the lots surpassed their pre-sale estimates, underscoring the robust demand for high-quality art and the auction house’s ability to curate compelling collections.
Highlights of the Auction
The standout piece of the auction was Auguste Rodin’s bronze sculpture, Petite Ombre de la Porte de l’Enfer (circa 1906-11), which fetched an impressive $112,500. This work, a smaller version of Rodin’s iconic The Gates of Hell, drew intense international interest, reflecting the enduring appeal of the artist’s masterful craftsmanship and the sculpture’s exceptional provenance.
Maritime and American landscapes also performed exceptionally well. James Edward Buttersworth’s oil painting, The Start of the Great 1866 Transatlantic Yacht Race, sold for $81,250. The piece, measuring 24 by 32.25 inches, captures the excitement of a historic sailing event and exemplifies Buttersworth’s skill in depicting maritime scenes. Another notable landscape was Frank Henry Shapleigh’s Mote Mountain from the Barn in Conway, NH, which achieved $34,375. Shapleigh’s work is celebrated for its detailed and serene depictions of New England scenery.
A complete set of Carroll Sargent Tyson, Jr.’s Twenty Birds of Mount Desert Island garnered significant attention, selling for $50,000. This collection highlights Tyson’s dedication to capturing the natural beauty of Maine’s Mount Desert Island through his ornithological studies.
The auction also featured vibrant works by Milton Avery, Jane Peterson, and Charles Ephraim Burchfield, which attracted enthusiastic bidding. Additionally, a collection of Holy Land landscapes from the estate of art historian Efrat Adler Porat achieved a 100% sell-through rate. These works, created by American artists, offered a unique perspective on the storied landscapes of the Holy Land and resonated deeply with international collectors.
Global Interest and Market Strength
The auction’s success was driven by a combination of fresh-to-market offerings and the auction house’s ability to attract a global audience. Bidders participated both in person and over the phone, with many works finding their way into private collections. The event highlighted the continued strength of the art market, particularly for high-quality pieces with strong provenance and historical significance.
Grogan & Company’s spring season also included a single-owner auction benefiting the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, which further demonstrated the auction house’s commitment to supporting cultural institutions and bringing exceptional works to market.
Conclusion
The May 10 Fine Art Auction at Grogan & Company reaffirmed the auction house’s reputation for curating high-quality collections and achieving strong results. The event’s success was marked by competitive bidding, international interest, and the sale of several standout pieces, including Rodin’s Petite Ombre de la Porte de l’Enfer and Buttersworth’s maritime masterpiece. With a 92% sell-through rate and total sales exceeding $1.4 million, the auction underscored the enduring appeal of fine art and the auction house’s ability to connect collectors with exceptional works.
For more information, visit www.groganco.com or contact Grogan & Company at 617-720-2020.
