Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Afro-Am Continues to Find Strength at Swann

January 20, 2010 by Marion Maneker

Barkley Hendricks, "Jackie Sha-La-La," Courtesy Swann
Barkley Hendricks, "Jackie Sha-La-La," Courtesy Swann

Lindsay Pollock highlights Swann Galleries’ upcoming African American sale. The latest edition of the biannual sale is 163 lots and estimated as high as $1.9m. Recent sales have done well but consistently failed to breakout in a meaningful way. This may be a reflection of the heavy institutional interest in the field. Nonetheless, the February sale is back up to early 2009 levels in terms of lots after steep decline in October of 31%:

Star lots range from Malvin Gray Johnson’s soulful Harlem Renaissance era Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (est. $200,000-$250,000) to Barkley L. Hendrick’s groovy 1975 Jackie Sha-La-La (est. $40,000-$60,000). […] Johnson’s 1928-1929 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, based on the Negro spiritual, is among just 60 known works by Johnson, who died at the age of 44. The painting was the first by an African-American artist to receive critical and commercial success in the U.S., according to Swann, winning the Harmon prize in 1929. The canvas was recently re-discovered

The Barkley Hendricks work featured in October’s sale–Bid ’em In/Slave–did gangbusters with a $144,000 selling price substantially over the estimate range.

Harlem Renaissance to Hammons at Swann (Lindsay Pollock)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Harrumphs for HirstHarrumphs for Hirst
  • Sotheby’s Imp Mod Eve Sale = $199.8mSotheby’s Imp Mod Eve Sale = $199.8m
  • Watercolors AfireWatercolors Afire
  • The 'Andy-Didact'The 'Andy-Didact'
  • Art Capital Group Negotiates with Goldman Sachs Through BloombergArt Capital Group Negotiates with Goldman Sachs Through Bloomberg
  • London’s Cool and Collected Impressionist & Modern WeekLondon’s Cool and Collected Impressionist & Modern Week

Filed Under: General

About Marion Maneker

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

Top Posts

  • Keith Haring’s 1989 Retrospect Comes to Sotheby’s London Prints Sale
  • Tony Podesta's Secret Art Buying
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • Roy Lichtenstein’s Top Ten Auction Prices
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • How to Chant Like an Auctioneer
  • Tracey Emin Neon Lights Up Sotheby's 'Contemporary Showcase' Pop-Up
  • 14th-Century Painting to Sell at Auction Under Restitution Settlement with German-Jewish Art Historian’s Heir
  • Phillips Includes $2.5m Norman Rockwell Painting in November Evening Sale
  • David Hockney's $20m Pacific Coast Highway & Santa Monica
  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor