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Madalina Lazen, a seasoned expert formerly with Sotheby’s and Bonhams, has taken the helm of the newly established Old Master and Nineteenth Century European Art department at Freeman’s | Hindman, America’s oldest auction house. Her appointment marks a strategic move as the auction house aims to deepen its focus on European art, a category that has seen significant shifts in the global market.
Lazen joined Freeman’s | Hindman’s Palm Beach office in the summer of 2022, a period marked by notable changes in the art world. Her first priority was to establish separate European art sales in the Chicago office, disentangling them from the American art category. By 2023, she successfully launched dedicated European art sales, which initially included Nineteenth Century European and Impressionist & Modern works, with an emphasis on Modern art. Over time, she began incorporating more Old Masters, a category she particularly cherishes. Following the merger with Freeman’s in 2024, Lazen was tasked with further refining these categories, leading to the formation of a distinct Old Masters & Nineteenth Century European Art department.
Building this department from the ground up presents both challenges and rewards. While it feels like starting anew, Lazen feels more prepared and supported this time around. Freeman’s | Hindman already had a history with Old Masters and Nineteenth Century European Art sales, though they often included Impressionist works. Collaborating with seasoned colleagues like David Weiss, Lazen leverages a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge. One of the significant challenges is sourcing quality material, as many fine paintings have left the US over the decades, returning to their countries of origin. This scarcity has intensified competition for high-quality works. However, Freeman’s | Hindman is filling a gap left by other auction houses that have scaled back or eliminated this category, offering focused sales of mid-range, high-quality Old Masters and academic paintings that collectors still actively seek.
Selling with Freeman’s | Hindman offers several advantages. The auction house provides comprehensive, personalized services, with clients having direct access to knowledgeable specialists. The firm prides itself on being accessible and responsive, a rarity in today’s market. With six salerooms and a company shuttle, property can be efficiently transported to the most appropriate location for sale. The auction house also boasts 52 collecting categories and a team of long-standing experts, many of whom are familiar faces from The Antiques Roadshow. In 2024, Freeman’s | Hindman expanded into New York with a prestigious venue on 67th Street, ideal for single-owner collections, fine jewelry, and contemporary art sales.
The Old Masters & Nineteenth Century European Art department conducts two major sales annually, aligning with the traditional Spring and Fall auction seasons. Additionally, one or two online-only sales offer more moderately valued works. A combined American & European art sale is scheduled for late June, featuring a diverse selection of affordably priced artworks, including Impressionist art.
Lazen has achieved several strong sales results, including the sale of George Landseer’s The Golden Temple, Benares (1861), which realized $235,000 in November 2024, setting a new auction record for the artist. The painting’s depiction of the Golden Temple of Benares, with its dazzling golden dome, likely contributed to its high demand. Another notable sale was Charles Amable Lenoir’s Pandora (1902), which fetched $176,000 in 2023, another record for the artist. Works by Lê Pho and Vu Cao Đàm have also seen strong results in recent years.
The April 29, 2024 sale proved more challenging than expected, reflecting the current political and economic climate. However, Old Masters performed well, indicating sustained interest in this category. For example, Edwin Landseer’s A Highland Loch after the Storm sold for $60,800, and Walter Greaves’ Portrait of James Abbott McNeill Whistler achieved $48,000. The latter, sold on behalf of the Atlanta History Center, will support the care and preservation of their collections.
Overall, Lazen’s leadership at Freeman’s | Hindman aims to reinvigorate the market for Old Masters and Nineteenth Century European art, offering collectors a dedicated platform for acquiring high-quality works in a challenging yet rewarding market.
