The top lot of the auction was this 1923 oil on board of a Rocky Mountains landscape by Birger Sandzén, “Pines by the Lake, Estes Park.” It sold over its high estimate to attain $76,700.
Review by Andrea Valluzzo
LONE JACK, MO. — Fine art auctions are a recurring event at Soulis Auctions, with the firm’s latest offering marking a significant milestone: its 20th Annual Winter Art Auction, held on February 22. This auction achieved an impressive total of nearly $2 million in sales, alongside a kickoff event the previous day showcasing the John Adair collection of antique tribal rugs and Post-War Modern art.
Auctioneer Dirk Soulis expressed satisfaction with the auction’s outcomes, noting the effectiveness of his marketing tactics. “I was very pleased with how my marketing performed. I had some fine works by artists whose work was significant but required some intuition to gauge because they’re rarely seen. I was particularly happy with how those works were received,” he stated.
As observed in contemporary auction settings, the audience was diverse, with a mix of in-house bidders participating energetically in the sale room. Yet, it was the artwork that truly captivated attendees, especially pieces by notable artists like Birger Sandzén.
The leading artwork of the auction was a 1923 oil on board titled “Pines by the Lake, Estes Park,” which sold for an impressive $76,600, exceeding its high estimate. This painting not only showcased a striking Rocky Mountain landscape, completed during what art historians refer to as Sandzén’s golden era (1910-1929), but also held a rich provenance. Previously part of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery collection, it found its way into the hands of Kansas philanthropists Jack and Joann Goldstein before being consigned from their estate for the auction.
Chicago modernist Anthony Angarola was represented in the sale with his 1928 view of Jacob Loose Park-The Old Country Club Golf Park (Kansas City) that made $49,200.
In addition to Sandzén’s works, paintings by Chicago modernist Anthony Angarola (1893-1929) also garnered attention. Reports indicate that fewer than 15 of Angarola’s oil paintings have appeared at auction over the last 40 years. His 1928 depiction of Jacob Loose Park – The Old Country Club Golf Park in Kansas City sold for $49,200. Auctioneer Soulis speculated on the rarity of Angarola’s works, noting that his untimely death may have contributed to supply scarcity; however, research suggests he was actively creating during his short career.
The auction spanned various eras and included a remarkable large self-portrait by Fritz Scholder from 2001, which fetched $47,200. A striking 1937 oil on canvas by Werner Drewes titled “Counterbalance” brought in $27,060. Belle Goldschlager Baranceanu’s untitled Chicago cityscape from the late 1920s achieved a new auction record, selling for $13,530, reflecting the sustained interest in her contributions to the art world.
Several artworks exceeded their projected estimates, showcasing a vigorous market. For instance, Alice Geneva “Gene” Kloss’ large watercolor of a mountain landscape, a medium less common for her, soared to $23,600, well past its estimate of $5,000 to $7,000. Similarly, Philip Campbell Curtis’ 1960 oil on board, “The Bugler,” estimated at $6,000 to $8,000, achieved $23,370, suggesting a growing appetite for quality artworks.
Alice Geneva “Gene” Kloss was a prolific printmaker, so her watercolors are rare. This large watercolor of a mountain landscape soared past its $5/7,000 estimate to peak at $23,600.
The February 21 session added notable items, beginning with a 1976 proof portfolio by Alexander Calder, which sold for $17,220, setting the tone for the day’s events. However, the spotlight fell on fine Oriental rugs from the estate of John Adair, Jr., an esteemed collector of antique Caucasian and southwest Persian rugs. Highlights from this segment included a fine Marsali prayer rug from the third quarter of the nineteenth century, which sold for $9,840, and an Akstafa long rug from circa 1880, which also garnered significant interest at $7,380.
Soulis Auctions will not slow down, with the next event scheduled for April 25-26, featuring more selections from John Adair, Jr.’s extensive collection.
All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For more information, please visit www.soulisauctions.com or call 816-697-3830.