Clars’ Important Sunday, May 19, 2013 Fine Art Auction will feature an array of spectacular, American paintings, one of which is Water, Sand and Patterns by Northern California artist, August Gay (1890-1949) estimated at $50,000-70,000. Circa 1920, this large oil on board (20 x 24 inches) depicts the fishing boats in Monterey Bay and exemplifies Gay’s colorful palette and use of geometric, Cubist inspired forms. Clars is very pleased to be offering this painting along with several others that come from a private collection in Pacific Grove, California. “We are quite thrilled to be offering this painting by August Gay with its very special story.” says Rick Unruh, Vice President and Director of Fine Art at Clars Auction Gallery.

Born in Rabou, France in 1890. Gay arrived in the United States in 1901 and settled in Oakland, California. While in the area, he met fellow artist, Selden Connor Gile (1877-1947). Gile was a major force in founding the group of artists in the area known as The Society of Six which soon included Gay, as well as Maurice Logan, William Clapp, Bernard Von Eichman, and Louis Siegriest. The Six chose to depart from the dominant Tonalist influences of late 19th century and early 20th century and preferred the bright colors of Impressionism, Fauvism, and Cubism. The painting Green and Pink Hills (1932) is a beautiful example of Gile’s work and will also be offered at $15,000-20,000.

In 1919, August Gay relocated to Monterey, California, although he remained an active member of The Six and exhibited regularly with them in Oakland until 1926. While in Monterey, he shared a studio with fellow artist, Clayton S. Price, in the former French Hotel now known as the Robert Louis Stevenson House, or, as it is commonly referred to, The Stevenson House. Gay’s Impressionistic painting bearing this title will also be featured in Clars’ May 19th sale with an estimate of $20,000-30,000.

While working on Water, Sand and Patterns at his studio, a prominent Monterey resident, Mr. Carlos Sheldon Stanley, was admiring Gay’s work. Mr. Stanley was the hotel manager of the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey. Known by many as “the World’s Greatest Innkeeper,” Mr. Stanley managed the Hotel Del Monte from 1915 to 1942 in which time he was a major supporter of local artists, such as Gay, and had numerous art exhibitions at the hotel.  Gay noticed Stanley’s interest in Water, Sand and Patterns where he then took it right off the easel and gave it to Mr. Stanley. This very rare and unseen painting stayed in the Stanley family until 2000 where it then changed hands to the current, Pacific Grove owner.

Coming from August Gay’s studio mate, Clayton Sumner Price (American, 1874-1950), will be, Horses at Watering Hole, circa 1930-1933, which is estimated at $8,000-$12,000 and is being sold to Benefit the Art Acquisitions Fund of the Seattle Art Museum.

Other important California paintings to be featured in Clars’ May 19th  auction will be Eucalyptus, alarge and vibrant landscape of light and color by Plein-Air Impressionist artist, Maurice Braun (1877-1941) at $20,000-30,000, as well as Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite, a dramatically powerful painting by Hermann Herzog (American/German, 1831-1932) estimated at $25,000-30,000. One other work well worth mentioning is a mesmerizing painting titled, Northern Lights, by Alaskan artist, Sydney Mortimer Laurence (1865-1940) being offered at $25,000-30,000 is yet another addition to the impressive list of fine art pieces that will be offered.

Rounding up our impressive American offerings are three pivotal paintings by legendary artist LeRoy Neiman (American, 1921-2012). Neiman, who passed away last June at the age of 91, is known for his colorful depictions of 20th century American and global culture—from celebrities to jazz musicians, Playboy bunnies to politicians, horse races to the Olympics, Neiman’s passion for capturing the spirit of the 20th century had no limit. The three offerings give a glimpse of this amazing artists range and his global presence starting with the earliest piece, a 1969 oil on board entitled, Longchamp. Depicting jockeys atop their lustrously colored horses, Neiman gives us a glimpse into the world famous Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. This painting will surely gallop away at an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000.

Jumping a few decades and a continent is the brightly colored 1982 painting, Finish at Indy, being offered at $30,000-$50,000. This painting captures the greatest and closest finish in Indy 500 history to that point, as Neiman’s brilliant pallet depicts Gordan Johncock  inching ahead of Rick Mears by a mere .16 second margin to clench the championship. And finally, Neiman’s third and final offering takes us to the final continent, India, with his intensely colored painting Himalayan Ascent, 1983, also being offered at $30,000-$50,000. 

Coming to the sale with the same estimate ($30,000-$50,000) is The Brook, [PHOTO 5] an oil on canvas (one of two) by George Inness (1825-1894), one of America’s most notable landscape painters. Strongly influenced by works of the old masters, this work reflects his mastery of tonalism. From Walter Farndon (America, 1876-1964) will be Northern Water, an oil on canvas, estimated to achieve $10,000-$20,000 followed by the color offset lithograph, Shipboard Girl,” 1965, by Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997) which has an estimate of $15,000-$25,000.

Topping the American Southwest offerings will be Searching for Strays by Melvin Charles Warren (1920-1995) (estimate $15,000-$20,000) along with the oil on canvas entitled Taos Chapel by Anna Katherine Skeele (1896-1963) offered at $10,000-$15,000 followed by Into the Wild Rivers, 1997, coming to the sale with an estimate of $8,000-$12,000.

And for the Peanuts enthusiasts, we are also pleased to be offering two original cartoon strips by Charles Schulz (1922-2000) that come from a prominent Piedmont California collection.

While impressive American works will dominate this auction, it will be a European work of particular importance that will fuel robust national and international bidding.  From Carl Olof Larsson (Swedish, 1853-1919), regarded as one of Sweden’s greatest artist, will be his watercolor Spring Garden [PHOTO 6] which is being offered for $70,000-$90,000. Also from Europe will be La Jeune Maman, 1941, and oil on board by Antoni Clave’ (Spanish, 1913-2005) which carries an estimate of $20,000-$30,000 and Midori No Mamida (Portfolio of five), 1971-74, color woodcuts, by Friedensreich Hundertwasser (Austrian, 1928-2000) is estimated at $15,000-$25,000.

And finally, over 40 pieces of artwork from the Paul Thiebaud Gallery in San Francisco (CA) will be offered to benefit the Crocker Art Museum (Sacramento, CA). The featured artists from this collection include Frank Lobdell, Charels Eckart and Jeffrey Hester, among other notables.

For complete information on Clars May 19, 2013 Fine Art and Antiques Auction, please visit www.clars.com, call (510) 428-0100 or email: info@clars.com. A complete catalog of all lots to be offered will be available online one week prior to the sale.

Previews for this sale will be Friday, May 17th, from 1pm to 6pm and beginning at 9am on both Saturday, May 18th    and Sunday, May 19th.

Bidding for Clars auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online @ www.clars.com, and through www.liveauctioneers.com and http://www.artfact.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.