Sotheby's sale of 19th Century European Art to feature paintings from the collection of Demi Moore - November 4, 2010
Sotheby’s 19th Century European Art sale in New York on 4 November will feature select works by important and popular artists, schools and styles of the genre. The sale of 82 lots, with a pre-sale estimate of $20/30 million, will be exhibited in Sotheby’s New York galleries from 29 October – 3 November, timed to coincide with the important auctions of Impressionist & Modern Art.
Among the highlights of the sale are two paintings from the collection of Demi Moore, both of which were acquired by the actress at auction in 1995. William Bouguereau’s Frère et Soeur is a work inspired by the artist’s travels in Italy (est. $1/1.5 million) and Alfred Stevens’ Mère et ses Enfants is a variation on the artist’s The Widow and her Children painted under commission from the Belgian government (est. $150/200,000).
The sale is led by The Finding of Moses, one of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s greatest masterpieces (est. $3/5 million). The painting once belonged to Allen Funt, creator of the popular prank show Candid Camera. His collection of masterworks by Alma-Tadema was exhibited in a landmark exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1973. Prints of The Finding of Moses were later used by Cecil B. Demille’s script writers and designers as inspiration for scenes from Cleopatra (1934) and The Ten Commandments (1956). Two excellent portraits by leading Italian Impressionist Giovanni Boldini, and important works by influential Orientalist, Sporting, French, Spanish and Polish artists will also be featured.
