Cowan’s Auctions is excited to offer a long-lost portrait by a master of French Realism at its October 15th Fine & Decorative Art Auction. The auction will also feature a strong and varied selection of 500 lots of American and European paintings, bronzes, and works on paper as well as a broad spectrum of fine furniture, porcelain, silver, rugs, timepieces, and Asian art.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the sale will be the Rayon de Soleil (Sunbeam) by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905). Completed in 1899 at the height of the artist's career, Sunbeam is an exceptional example of Bouguereau's talent, showing a barefoot girl in a white dress as she stands against a garden wall, one hand raised to her chin in a pensive pose.

"It’s a spectacular example of Bouguereau's work, painted at the apex of his long career, and clearly one of the best to come to market in quite some time," said Pauline Archambault, Fine Art specialist at Cowan's. “The pensive – yet coquettish expression of the little girl immediately invites the viewer into the scene. It creates a conversation with the viewer, yielding a form of contemplation that isn't just visual."

The painting is being offered with a conservative pre-sale estimate of $300,000 to $500,000. The whereabouts of Sunbeam had been unknown for more than 100 years, but was recently discovered in a modest clapboard house in Elkhart, Ind. thanks to a Facebook message.

The auction also features two noteworthy paintings from well-known artists famous for portraying animals in action. A painting from Edmund Henry Osthaus (American, 1858-1928), famous for his depictions of dogs on the hunt, is expected to sell for between $30,000 and $50,000. This particular painting is rare because it depicts eight hounds, far more than a typical painting by Osthaus. Similarly, a striking painting by Jessie Arms Botke (American, 1883-1971) of her preferred subject matter, cockatoos, is estimated to sell for between $20,000 and $30,000.

No fine art auction would be complete without a collection of landscapes and Cowan’s is pleased to offer a wide variety from around the globe in the Fall Auction. The top seller is expected to be a winter scene with stream by Ivan Fedorovitch Choultsé (Russian, 1877-1932), estimated to sell for between $30,000 and $50,000.

For those who prefer a warmer landscape, there is a pair of paintings from Domingo Ramos Enriquez (Cuban, 1894-1956) depicting his native Cuba. Domingo Ramos was among the highest regarded Cuban landscape painters of the early 20th century and was often referred to as “The Painter of the Vinales Valley.” Several examples of his work are included in the Presidential Palace and National Capitol in Cuba.

The Decorative Arts section of the auction features a large collection of clocks including some pieces from well-known collector the late Hal Wehling. The top seller is expected to be a late Eardley Norton (active 1762-1794) Musical Bracket Clock, estimated between $15,000 and $25,000. An English-made table clock, it has a brass and steel mechanism and nine bells set to chime at the hour and quarter hour, along with four tunes, Song, March, Minuet, and Air. “Norton was a prominent designer and maker of clocks in the second half of the 18th century,” said Kirstie Craven, Decorative Arts specialist at Cowan’s. “This clock is one of a few examples of this design and based on the number, we’re certain the clock movement was made by Eardley Norton.”

Included in the Decorative Arts section of the sale is a selection of Asian Art including a Japanese Lantern Clock, estimated to sell for between $5,000 and $7,000, and a Nephrite Jade Mirror, estimated between $2,000 and $3,000.

Perhaps the most extensive collection of items in this sale will be a group of German beer steins from collector Herbert Krombholz. Dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century, these steins come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and designs but all have the distinctive look and feel of the classic German stein.

Always proud of its hometown of Cincinnati, Cowan’s will be offering a collection of works from noted Cincinnati and Kentucky painters including Thomas Corwin Lindsay (1839-1907), Dixie Selden (1871-1936), and Anna M. Valentien (1862-1947). The auction will also feature several pieces from the Cincinnati-based and world-renowned Rookwood Pottery Company including a Monumental Tiger Eye Vase estimated to sell for between $3,000 and $4,000.

Auction previews are scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14; and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 with the auction beginning immediately following the Saturday preview at 10 a.m. Bidding is also available by phone, absentee, and online through Bidsquare.com.

For more information and a complete list of all lots being offered for this sale, please call Cowan’s at 513-871-1670 or click here.