MILFORD, Conn. – An oil painting by the renowned 19th century American landscape artist Thomas Hill (1829-1908), titled Fishing on the Merced River, signed and dated 1891 lower right, sold for $180,000 at a fine art auction held April 23 by Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers, in the firm’s Milford gallery. The painting was the auction’s top earner.

In all, 245 works came up for bid in an array of categories, to include many fine examples from the Hudson River School, European from Old Masters through Modern, the New Hope School, American coastal views, Western, American Moderns, Orientalist, American Nauticals, New York and Pittsburgh scenes and American sculpture.

“The sale was strong and quite diverse,” said Gene Shannon of Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers. “Just over 50 works sold for between $10,000 and $180,000, an indicator that the fine art market is strong in the middle to upper segments. Of course, top quality brought top dollar – it always does. Also, 45 paintings sold to online bidders, a record for us. Internet participation is surging.”

The Thomas Hill painting, measuring 36 inches by 54 inches, depicted a view of Yosemite, a favorite subject of Hill’s. It last sold at auction in 1999, at Sothebys. Following are additional highlights from the auction, which attracted 538 registered bidders; 78 percent of all lots sold. Online bidding was provided by Invaluable.com. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.

An untitled (and recently discovered) abstract painting by the American Modern artist Hans Hofmann (1880-1966), measuring 18 inches by 15 inches and dated 1949, soared to $132,000. A student of Hofmann’s – Justina Hart (1907-2011), who was a contemporary of Blanche Lazzell’s – purchased the oil on panel work from the artist, who inscribed it to her on the reverse in 1950.

One other painting topped the $100,000 mark. It was a figure in landscape rendering by Daniel Ridgway Knight (Am., 1839-1924), titled A Maid in Her Garden. The painting actually changed hands after the sale’s conclusion, selling to the New York art dealer Rehs Galleries for $120,000. Rehs indicated it plans to include the painting in a forthcoming catalogue raisonne on Knight.

An Orientalist painting by the 19th century French artist Eugene Baugnies (1842-1891), a figural scene depicting a Sufi mediation ceremony titled Remembering the Divine (Zikr) brought $72,000. Also, a diminutive nautical scene by James Edward Buttersworth (Am./Br., 1817-1894), titled The Yacht Race, 11 ½ inches by 20 inches, which sold in 1996 for $25,300, made $69,600.

Two paintings posted identical selling prices of $66,000. One was a lovely scene of a young woman enjoying an outdoor tea party titled Midsummer Idyll, by Lawton Silas Parker (Am., 1868-1954), an artist heavily influenced by Monet at Giverny. The other was a signed and dated (1918) oil on canvas by Albert Marquet (Fr., 1875-1947), titled Le Chemin de Fer L’Estaque.

An urban streetscape of Pittsburgh by Everett Longley Warner (Am., 1877-1963), titled Rain, gaveled for $36,000. Warner is associated with the art colony of Old Lyme, Conn., but he also taught at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. Also, a gorgeous post-Impressionist painting by Birger Sandzen (Am., 1871-1954), titled Willow and Cottonwoods, 1932, commanded $28,800.

A pair of paintings each brought $24,000. The first was an outdoor winter scene of trees and snow by Walter Launt Palmer (Am., 1854-1932), titled Pines at Sunset. The second was an Orientalist scene, this one depicting horses, donkeys and people, titled The Entrance, by French artist Henri Rousseau (1875-1933).

Two paintings by Emile Albert Gruppe (Am., 1896-1978) were sold. The one titled Winter Trees, 32 inches by 40 inches and signed lower left, realized $26,400. Also, an oil painting by Francis Coates Jones (Am., 1857-1932), titled Two Women in a Garden, rose to $20,400, while a figural rendering by Gregory Gluckmann (Russ./Am., 1898-1973), titled Contemplation, made $16,800.

Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers will hold its first-ever live online discovery auction on June 16. Featured will be a wide array of artwork from the 19th century through the mid-20th century. The auction will be hosted by Invaluable.com and will be available for viewing online around June 9. Shannon’s next major fine art sale will be held Oct. 29. Consignments are now being accepted.

Historically, Shannon’s has specialized in American and European art executed between 1840 and 1940. In recent years the auction firm has expanded more into post-war Modern and Pop Art. Shannon’s produces an extensive color catalog that is available for sale at 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 June 16 and Oct 29 auctions, please visit www.shannons.com.

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