Important 19th Century Paintings Emerge from a Private Collection in Ohio After More than a Century
Sotheby’s is pleased to announce that its 8 November 2012 auction of 19th Century European Art in New York will offer a group of six paintings formerly in the celebrated collection of self-made American businessman Obed J. Wilson, highlighted by William Bouguereau’s masterful La Branche de Cerisier (The Cherry Branch) from 1881 (est. $1.5/2 million, above). The painting’s location has been unknown since it was sold to “an American collector” in 1881, within months of leaving the artist’s studio. Obed Wilson, the purchaser, later donated it to the Twin Towers Senior Living Community in Cincinnati, Ohio, which he and his wife helped support and where it has remained on display since. The group of six works will be on view in Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries beginning 2 November and proceeds from their sale will benefit projects and operations at Twin Towers.
La Branche de Cerisier (The Cherry Branch) was produced at the very height of Bouguereau’s career in 1881 and was the pillar of Mr. and Mrs. Obed Wilson’s collection. Bouguereau appealed to American collectors who were interested in acquiring iconic compositions that showed a high level of quality and artistic virtuosity. La Branche de Cerisier (The Cherry Branch) is exactly the scale and sentiment that these collectors were looking for, and we can see through the financial records of Bouguereau’s dealers, Goupil & Cie. and Sécrétan & Co., that Obed Wilson paid a premium for the painting. The painting has been held in this distinguished private collection for over a century.
