AntiquesPublicity.com Pasadena, CA – By the time Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955) emigrated to New York from Russia in 1923, he had already established himself as one of Europe’s most notable artists of the time. Even in his early years, his fascination with capturing the personalities of his sitters and his ability to create very powerful likenesses earned him the reputation of one of the world’s finest portraitists. Upon his arrival in the United States, his works captivated the art world and the demand for his portraits was immediate. Shortly after his arrival, he won The Thomas R. Proctor Award for Portraiture in the 1924 exhibition at the National Academy of Design in New York. The prized portrait was “The Wood Engraver” which Fechin painted in 1924. The painting depicts William G. Watt, an engraver and graphic artist and an Associate of the National Academy of Design, at work in his Stroudsburg, PA studio. It is this award winning work which will be offered at John Moran Auctioneers’ February 19th, 2008 Important California and American Paintings Sale.

Since the mid-20th century, the “Wood Engraver” has been held in private hands and John Moran is extremely honored to be able to offer this early masterwork to the world. The portrait has all the hallmarks of Fechin’s best works — powerful and masculine brushwork, a complex and detailed composition and his unparalleled ability to create refinement in the face and hands of his sitters amidst bold and colorful brushwork.

In 1927 Nicolai Fechin settled in Taos, New Mexico where his portraits of the indigenous cultures and people there achieved renowned. It is these works that are most commonly offered at auction and have commanded in excess of $1 million. Works from his early years in New York are more rarely seen and acquiring “The Wood Engraver”, arguably the artist’s masterwork from this pre-Taos period, is a unique and important opportunity.

John Moran Auctioneers has a pre-sale estimate on this painting at $400,000 to $600,000. Private collectors and museums from around the world will play an important role in the final outcome of the evening.

John Moran Auctioneers February 19, 2008 Important California and American Paintings Sale will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA. In addition to this important work by Fechin, the sale will feature over 200 pre-1950 works in oil, sculpture and works on paper by California and American Impressionists. The auction will begin at 6:30pm (PST). Bidding on this sale is available in person, by phone, absentee and on the internet via eBay Live Auctions/Live Auctioneers.

For more information, please contact the offices of John Moran Auctioneers at (626) 793-1833 or visit their website at www.johnmoran.com

Posted: 11|7|07 at 10:34 am. Filed under: News.