Sargent Paintings Exit New York's Players Club
- July 24, 2012 23:17
A crumbling facade is blamed for the sale of two historic portraits by premier American artist John Singer Sargent from a designated National Historic Landmark building.
In the collection of New York's Players Club for over 100 years, Sargent's portrait of actor Joseph Jefferson is set to hit the auction block.The work is expected to garner over $1 million.
Previously, a portrait of the club's founder, Edwin Booth, was sold to art dealer Warren Adelson. Booth was an actor whose brother, John Wilkes Booth, assassinated President Lincoln.
The club, where actors, writers and artists have gathered since 1888, has played host to luminaries such as Mark Twain and Stanford White, but in the recession membership has declined.
Nearly $2 million is needed to repair the structure's facade. The sale of the club's Sargents will go to the renovation.
