Following the stunning record prices achieved for post-war and contemporary art last week, sales of historic American art this week have started off with several high-flying lots.

On Wednesday, Christie's American Art sale brought $27 million. Highlights included a vibrant Giverny garden scene, "Foxgloves," by Frederick Carl Frieseke, which went to a near-record $2.2 million and Mary Cassatt's "Sara holding a Cat," which more than doubled its high estimate to bring $2.5 million. 

Robert Frederick Blum's ca. 1880-89 "Venetian Gondoliers" brought a notable $1.14 million, from a low estimate of $500,000.

An exquisite Martin Johnson Heade oil of "Hummingbird and Two Types of Orchid," went above estimate to fetch $818,500.

On Tuesday, Dallas-based Heritage Auctions $5+ million American & European Art event featured Heade's still life "Chreokee Roses in a Glass Vase," ca. 1883-1888, which more than doubled its low estimate of $80,000 to fetch $170,500.

Of the 458 lots offered, 65 percent sold.

The star lot was French realist William Adolphe Bouguereau’s 1882 masterpiece "Fishing For Frogs" which realized $1,762,500, a record price for a painting sold by Heritage.

“There were several bids above the pre-auction estimate before the bidding settled,” said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions of the Bouguereau. "We continue to make concerted efforts to broaden the reach of our Fine Arts department, such as bringing Brian Roughton on as Director of American & European Art, which has already proven a very good move.”

Bonhams sale in New York on May 15 was led by Daniel Garber's "Spring Planting- Stony Ridge" which fell within estimate at $242,500.

Sotheby's American art sale is May 17 in New York.