Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Notes on Collecting: A Conversation with Congressman John Lewis


Elizabeth Catlett, Civil Rights Congress, Linocut, 1950. Sight size: 14" x 8". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

The following interview with Danielle Isaacs (DI), Fine Arts Specialist at Weschler's, features Congressman John Lewis (JL), and was shared with me by Danielle. Congressman John Lewis, the representative of Georgia’s 5th District, is known as one of the most prominent figures of the Civil Rights Movement. He has dedicated his storied career to preserving the rights and freedoms of the American people. What many do not know, is that Congressman Lewis is also an avid collector of African American art. The interview that follows shows the depth of his art historical knowledge and passion for collecting.  


DI: How long have you collected works by African American artists? Who are the primary artists in your collection? 

JL: I have collected African American art for almost 50 years.  Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Charles White are the primary artists in my collection.  I developed an appreciation for art when I was in school in Nashville during the 1960s.   The great artist, Aaron Douglass, taught me art appreciation at Fisk University, and during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, African American art served as an inspiration to us all.  Seeing our work, in the struggle, depicted on canvas or in other forms of fine art was very uplifting.  My appreciation for African American art grew out of these experiences.


DI: Do you think it is important for works by Washington DC artists, such as Lois Mailou Jones and Sam Gilliam, to stay in DC, or is it good they are being collected throughout the United States and even internationally? 

JL: I think it’s important that the work of great artists like Jones and Gilliam be shared throughout the world, especially in traveling exhibitions.  But it is so fitting and appropriate for as many of the works of these artists to be viewed by visitors who come to Washington seeking to understand the cultural history of the city.  These works should be owned by Washingtonians because they express the last 100 years of contribution African Americans have made to this city.  Ownership demonstrates the indelible connection between the artists from another period and the culture of the city today. 


DI: Randy Kennedy of the New York Times recently wrote an article entitled “Black Artists and the March into the Museum.” Referring to the increase in African American centered exhibitions at museums, Kennedy writes "One result is a growing realization by ambitious collectors that the absence of important works by black artists in their collections diminishes their own seriousness. What is you opinion of collectors of American art suddenly realizing their collections are incomplete without African American artists? 

JL: I think that the museum community, art activists, and the artists themselves must do a better job of affirming that African American art is American art of world-class caliber. The stories of African Americans are some of the most inspiring stories of human history. They speak of pain and suffering, the on-going struggle for human dignity, the hopes, aspirations and dreams of a people. These are universal concepts and ideas expressed beautifully and innovatively by African American artists. Perhaps some museums and collectors have finally realized that we all have stories to share, and it is not possible to tell the whole story of this nation without including African American art.   

This short interview offers a transition into exploring the selections of art that are available in a special upcoming auction of African-American art at Weschler's.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Weschler’s Auctioneers: African-American Art Auction, Sale 1424

Weschler's Auctioneers will offer a compelling selection of African American art, featuring the Collection of Reverend Douglas E. Moore and Dr. Doris Hughes-Moore on February 26, 2016. This specialized sale focuses on the works of modern and contemporary African-American artists, including one of the largest private collections of  prints by Elizabeth Catlett. 

Sale 1424 consists of 108 lots and includes the Moores’ comprehensive collection of prints by Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and John Biggers that is an all-encompassing visual representation of the changing landscape of black life in America from the 1940s to the early 21st century. In addition to the artists already mentioned, there are selections that represent other artists from other collectors as well, including Lois Mailou Jones, Charles Sebree, Anthony Watkins, Richard Dempsey, Ulysses Marshall, Martha Jackson Jarvis, John T. Riddle, Jr., Sam Gilliam, and others. 

Select highlights from this upcoming auction follow:
 
    Elizabeth Catlett, Two Generations, Lithograph, 1979. Sight size: 19" x 26". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 29: Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012)
Two Generations: This lithograph, number 75/100, is inscribed "To our friend, Douglas Moore" in pencil. The lot has an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000.


Elizabeth Catlett, Cartas, Lithograph, 1986. Sight size: 29½" x 22". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers 
Lot 37: Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012) 
Cartas: This 1986 lithograph is 68/80 and is inscribed in pencil, "To Doug Moore- So happy you like this". Cartas, lot 37, has an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000.  



Elizabeth Catlett, Homage to the Panthers, Lithograph in color, 1993. Sight size: 36" x 22". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 58: Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012)
Homage to the Panthers: This lithograph which is in color is an artist proof 3/20 with an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000.
  

Elizabeth Catlett, Domestic Worker, Lithograph, 1995. Sight size: 27" x 19". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 60: Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012)
Domestic Worker: This lithograph is a later edition dated '46 - '95 and is number 5/6 in the edition. Domestic Worker has an estimate of $10,000 - 15,000.   

Romare Bearden, Slave Ship, Serigraph, 1977. Sight size: 33" x 23½". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 75: Romare Bearden (American 1911-1988)
Slave Ship: This serigraph is 73/144 and has an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000. 


Lois Mailou Jones, Monte Carlo, Watercolor on board, 1955. Sight size: 18½" x 23½". Property of various owners. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers 

Lot 85: Lois Mailou Jones (American 1905-1998)
Monte Carlo: Lot 85 has an estimate of $8,000 - 12,000. This work is accompanied by a copy of a letter from the artist.
 
Charles Sebree,  Head of a Man, Casein on paper, 15" x 10". Property of various owners. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 96: Charles Sebree (American 1914-1985)
Head of a Man: This lot has an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000. 

 
Martha Jackson Jarvis, Grandfather's Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mixed media sculpture, 48" x 28". Property of various owners. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers
Lot 98: Martha Jackson Jarvis (American b. 1952)
Grandfather's Red Hot Chili Peppers
: This mixed media sculpture is unsigned, and has an estimate $5,000 - 7,000    

For a full range of available art by African-American artists in Sale 1424, see online auction catalogue.

For convenience to clients who cannot attend the auction, Weschler's offers telephone bids or will execute absentee bids without charge. In addition, buyers may bid live on Invaluable. Please visit Invaluable to register for the auction and bid live along with those in the auction house and on the telephone. Read more about buying at Weschler's. For additional information on bidding, contact: 202/ 628-1281.