Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers’ major spring sale, held on April 28th, 2011, realized over $5,000,000, an overall record for the auction house.

Leading an impressive group of Hudson River School works was Louis Rémy Mignot’s Travelers in a Tropical Landscape, a rediscovered masterpiece based on his 1857 trip across Ecuador with Frederic Church. It sold for $516,000, nearly doubling the previous high auction record.

Other notable results for 19th century American art include $204,000 for Sanford Gifford’s Bend in the Juniata River and $156,000 for John F. Peto’s Self-Portrait with Rack Painting, one of the artist’s most-exhibited works.

Figurative works also sold well. Charles Hopkinson’s The Piazza Door, a portrait of his daughter, Mary, brought $108,000, while Mary Bradish Titcomb’s Two Girls, Old Lyme brought $120,000—a record for the artist.

At lot 203, Shannon’s shifted gears and presented an impressive group of Pop Art that once belonged to the noted John and Kimiko Powers collection. 99% of the Pop Art sold, with many lots bringing intense interest from around the globe. Gerald Laing’s AAD (Racing Car) reached $78,000, while his Number 71 (Girl in a Bikini) soared to $96,000, a record. Two works by John Wesley also performed well, selling for $60,000 and $84,000, respectively. Theodoros Stamos’ Venetian Mirror sold for $120,000, William Ronald’s Aurora went to $60,000, and Marisol Escobar’s Zoot sold for $90,000. Roy Lichtenstein’s Reverie achieved $120,000.

A terrific success, the sale adds to Shannon’s reputation as a leading venue for 19th and early 20th century fine art, while establishing the auction house as a major destination for post-war Modernism and Pop Art.

Complete sale results may be found on Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers’ website, www.shannons.com. Shannon’s next sale is October 27, 2011 and we are presently accepting consignments. Please send images and details of prospective artwork to info@shannons.com.