MILFORD, Conn. – Original oil paintings by Daniel Ridgway Knight, Edward Moran, Thomas Hill and Hans Hofmann could all conceivably reach or pass the $100,000 mark at a spring sale slated for Thursday, April 23rd at Shannon's Fine Art Auctioneers, in the firm's gallery at 354 Woodmont Road in Milford, at 6 p.m. EST. Internet bidding will be provided by Invaluable.com.

In all, 245 works will come up for bid, in a wide range of categories and at price points ranging from affordable for the novice collector to six figures for the discriminating art aficionado. These categories include American Impressionism, New Hope School, American coastal views, Western, Modern, Hudson River School, European, Orientalist and 15 works by Old Masters.

The painting by Daniel Ridgway Knight (Am., 1839-1924), is titled A Maid in Her Garden. It has a pre-sale estimate of $125,000-$175,000. The Edward Moran (Am., 1829-1901) is titled View of Paulus Hoeck (Hook), New Jersey, from New York Harbor (circa 1861). It should realize $80,000-$120,000.

The Western painting by Thomas Hill (Am., 1829-1908) is titled Fishing on the Merced River (Yosemite) and is dated (1891). Measuring 36 inches by 54 inches, the painting should hit $150,000-$250,000. The untitled (and recently discovered) abstract painting by American Modern artist Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) is 18 inches by 15 inches and dated 1949 (est. $80,000-$120,000).

Other stars include Midsummer Idyll by Lawton Silas Parker (1868-1954), (est. $40,000-$60,000); Rain, one of five works from Everett L. Warner (1877-1963), (est. $30,000-$50,000); and Two Women in a Garden by Francis Coates Jones (1857-1932), (est. $20,000-$30,000), and five original works by Eric Sloane (1905-1985).

New Hope School offerings will include five paintings from the estate of John Fulton Folinsbee (Am., 1892-1972), including one titled Desert Mine No. 1, 1930 (Manayunk Brickyard), (est. $60,000-$80,000); and an oil by Arthur Meltzer (Am., 1893-1989), titled Unplowed Lane, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, (est. $15,000-$25,000).

In addition to the Moran piece, American coastal works will include an oil by Alfred Thompson Bricher (Am., 1837-1908), titled Rocky Shoreline (est. $15,000-$25,000); Sailing Off the Coast by George Curtis (Am., 1816-1881), dated 1878 (est. $10,000-$15,000); and Morning Catch, Long Island by Mauritz de Haas (Am., 1832-1908) (est. $12,000-$18,000).

While the Thomas Hill painting is the undisputed champion of the Western category, another strong performer promises to be Two Scouts Watching Custer's Command, Little Big Horn by Edgar Samuel Paxson (Am., 1852-1919), (est. $70,000-$90,000). Also offered will be Willow and Cottonwoods by Birger Sandzen (Am., 1871-1954), (est. $20,000-$30,000).

Hans Hofmann will lead the Modern group, but other works to watch will be Contemplation by Grigory Gluckman (Russ./Am., 1898-1973), one of two by him, (est. $15,000-$25,000); Le Lapin Agile by Maurice Utrillo (Fr., 1883-1955), (est. $20,000-$30,000); and Le Chemin de Fer a L'Estaque by Albert Marquet (Fr., 1875-1947), (est. $20,000-$30,000).

The Hudson River School will be represented by View of the Rhine Near Dusselforf by Worthington Whittredge (Am., 1820-1910), (est. $7,000-$10,000); Kaatskill Clove by Sanford R. Gifford (Am., 1823-1880), (est. $15,000-$25,000); and Sunset by William L. Sonntag (Am., 1822-1900), (est. $15,000-$25,000).

Other Hudson River School works will feature Niagara Falls From American Side by John Vanderlyn (Am., 1775-1852), (est. $15,000-$25,000); River Through an Autumn Forest by William Mason Brown (Am., 1828-1898), (est. $5,000-$7,000); and Sailing on the River by Norton Bush (Am., 1834-1894), dated 1874 (est. $12,000-$18,000).

Works by European artists will be plentiful and include The Canon's Dinner by Jean Georges Vibert (Fr., 1840-1902), (est. $30,000-$50,000); Still Life With Bee on a Tabletop by Emilie Preyer (Germ., 1849-1930), (est. $20,000-$30,000); and Brittany Sheep Market by Cyprien Le Vavasseur (Fr., 1866-1924), 1908 (est. $15,000-$25,000).

Also from Europe are Copenhagen Fish Market, one of two paintings in the sale by Paul Gustave Fischer (Denm., 1860-1934), (est. $7,000-$10,000); The Shell Fishermen by Peder Mork Monsted (Denm., 1859-1941), dated 1891 (est. $7,000-$10,000); and Naples From Mergellina by the Italian painter Giuseppi Cosenza (1847-1922), (est. $8,000-$12,000).

Orientalist renderings will feature Remembering the Divine (Zikr) by Eugene Baugnies (Fr., 1842-1891), (est. $25,000-$35,000); and A Bedaween (sic) Encampment Near the Dead Sea, Sunset by Edmund Weeks (Am., 1849-1903), artist signed (est. $10,000-$15,000).

The 15 Old Masters works will be highlighted by a painting from the workshop of Belgian artist Joos van Cleve (1485-1540), who was active in Antwerp from around 1511 to 1540. Van Cleve was known mostly for his religious works and portraits of royalty. He combined Neanderthalish painting techniques with influences of more contemporary Renaissance painting styles in his art.

Previews will be held daily starting Monday, April 13th and run through auction day, Thursday, April 23rd (closed on Sunday, April 19th). Preview hours will be 11-6 Eastern time, except April 22nd (noon to 7 p.m.) and April 23rd, auction day (noon to 5:30 p.m.). Phone and absentee bids will be accepted. A 20% buyer's premium will be applied to all purchases.

Historically, Shannon’s has specialized in American and European art executed between 1840 and 1940. In recent years the firm has expanded more into post-war modern and pop art. Shannon’s produces an extensive 164-page, color catalog, which is available for sale on their website (www.shannons.com).

Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single piece of artwork, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them at (203) 877-1711; or, you can e-mail them at info@shannons.com. To learn more about Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers and the upcoming April 23rd spring art auction, please visit www.shannons.com.

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