The Fine Art Group is thrilled to announce our new sponsorship of the Vanhaerents Art Collection, one of Belgium’s most prestigious collections of contemporary art.
The Vanhaerents Art Collection boasts a truly unique and comprehensive assembly of works. Founded in the 1970s by Walter Vanhaerents and passionately continued by his children, Els and Joost, the collection reflects a remarkable commitment to artistic innovation and a keen eye for emerging talent.
What makes the Vanhaerents Art Collection so special?
- Pioneering Spirit: Since its inception, the collection has embraced bold and often radical works, pushing boundaries and challenging artistic conventions.
- Enduring Legacy: Featuring iconic pieces by Andy Warhol, Bruce Nauman, Cindy Sherman, and many more, the collection offers a captivating journey through the history of contemporary art.
- Visionary Focus: The Vanhaerents continue to champion the works of exciting new voices, ensuring the collection stays fresh and relevant.
WHY WE ARE PROUD
The Fine Art Group is deeply committed to supporting the arts and fostering a vibrant cultural landscape. Sponsoring the Vanhaerents Art Collection aligns perfectly with these values.
We are honored to play a role in making this incredible collection accessible to a wider audience. The Vanhaerents’ dedication to artistic exploration resonates deeply with us, and we are excited to contribute to the continued success of this remarkable institution.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about special events and exhibitions at the Vanhaerents Art Collection!
OUR BENELUX TEAM
RARE BEATLES MEMORABILIA: HISTORIC ALBUMS BROUGHT TO SALE
February 24, 2024, commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the Beatles’ debut live performance in the United States, igniting a year marked by the auction of significant Beatles memorabilia. Noteworthy among these offerings are John Lennon’s personal copy of The White Album and Iain Macmillan’s portfolio from the Abbey Road cover session, both facilitated by The Fine Art Group for placement and sale.
JOHN LENNON’S COPY OF THE WHITE ALBUM
John Lennon’s copy of The White Album holds a special place in Beatles lore, numbered #0000006 and gifted to his chauffeur, Les Anthony. Released on November 22, 1968, The White Album is a milestone in music history as the Beatles’ inaugural double album. Its iconic plain white cover and groundbreaking compositions remain a cornerstone of the band’s legacy, showcasing their creative diversity and enduring influence on the music industry.
1968
Heritage Auctions
LOT #26096
RARE COMPLETE SET OF ABBEY ROAD COVER SESSION PORTFOLIO
Iain Macmillan’s Abbey Road cover session portfolio features seven chromogenic color photographs captured during the iconic August 8, 1969, session. The renowned front cover image, selected by Paul McCartney, depicts the Beatles traversing the zebra crossing alongside the unexpected passerby immortalized on the back cover in a blue dress. Each print, signed and numbered by Macmillan, remains pristine within its original white paper wrapping, housed in a red cloth Folio clamshell box. With only 25 editions produced, complete sets in original wrapping are exceptionally rare, offering collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of music history.
Edition No. 8/25
Iain MacMillan
1969
Heritage Auctions
Lot #26135
Together, John Lennon’s copy of The White Album and Iain Macmillan’s Abbey Road cover session portfolio represent quintessential pieces of Beatles memorabilia, each encapsulating pivotal moments in the band’s legendary career. From the groundbreaking compositions of The White Album to the iconic imagery of Abbey Road, these artifacts offer collectors a tangible connection to the band’s enduring legacy and artistic genius. As these rare gems find new homes in the hands of enthusiasts, they serve as reminders of the Beatles’ unparalleled impact on music and popular culture, continuing to inspire and captivate audiences six decades after their historic debut in the United States.
OUR SERVICES
Offering expert Advisory across sectors, our dedicated Advisory and Sales Agency teams combine strategic insight with transparent advice to guide our clients seamlessly through the market. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss our strategies and services in depth.
GIANTS EXHIBITION AT BROOKLYN MUSEUM
Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys is a groundbreaking exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, opening its doors on February 10, 2024. The collection, amassed by World renowned artists and cultural luminaries Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) and Alicia Keys, aims to highlight the diverse and multigenerational talents of artists.
Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
February 10-July 7, 2024
Brooklyn Museum
Great Hall, 1st Floor
“Energy often follows intention, and The Deans have clearly set their intentions to build a world-class collection highlighting Black diasporic artists in this exhibition,” says Shane David Hall, Director of the High-Profile Division. “The opening of Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys is the culmination of this specific intention and the energy surrounding their passion for ‘artists supporting artists.’ We are beyond thrilled to support the passion of The Deans as they continue to support these legendary artists.”
The term “Giants” encapsulates the monumental impact of these artists, both past and present, whose contributions have shaped cultural discourse and expanded artistic boundaries. The exhibition features a carefully curated selection of pieces by iconic figures such as Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Kehinde Wiley, and Nina Chanel Abney, alongside the monumental works of artists like Derrick Adams, Arthur Jafa, and Meleko Mokgosi.
Freeman’s | Hindman to hold sale of the Collection of Sidney Rothberg on February 27 and 28
Almost 300 works will be on view to the public in Philadelphia, with similar highlights exhibiting in
Paris, New York, and Chicago, culminating in two single-owner sales on February 27 and 28,
with a percentage of proceeds going to support free programs helping to improve the lives of
cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers.
CHICAGO PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Freeman’s | Hindman Chicago Gallery
1550 W Carroll Ave
Chicago, IL 60607
February 2nd to 8th
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Weekends, 11 AM to 4 PM
PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Freeman’s | Hindman Philadelphia Gallery
2400 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
February 16th to 26th
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM
Weekends, 12 PM to 4 PM
BOOK A VIEWING APPOINTMENT
Please email Raphael Chatroux at rchatroux@freemansauction.com to book a viewing appointment.
“A lifelong Philadelphian, Mr. Rothberg was known for his expert eye and impeccable taste,” said Head of Sale Alasdair Nichol. “He regularly attended Freeman’s auction, so it is not only fitting, but also emotional, to see all these gems presented in the city he liked so much.”
The full auction preview will open in Philadelphia from February 16th until the auctions take place on February 27th and 28th. The online sale catalogue will go live from February 2nd. A portion of the proceeds from your acquisition will be donated to support free programs helping to improve the lives of cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers.
SALE INFORMATION
Auction Preview: February 16th – February 26th
Sale Dates: February 27th – February 28th
Freeman’s | Hindman, 2400 Market Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Click here for more information:
Part I: Upcoming auction: What Do You See? The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Part I | February 27, 2024 (freemansauction.com)
Part II: Upcoming auction: What Do You See? The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Part II | February 28, 2024 (freemansauction.com)
Lots to be published on February 2nd, 2024.
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The Fine Art Group is pleased to announce Western Art and Design from Bar Cross Ranch, Wyoming, brought to sale through Sotheby’s and to go live on January 19th, 2023.
The Fine Art Group’s Agency department was integral to curating and acquiring this collection, designing a historical narrative in harmony with the collection’s past location on a ranch in Wyoming, an iconic location also known for being where Grateful Dead’s lyricist John Perry Barlow and founding member Bob Weir composed music for the band.
Anita Heriot, President, Americas, states, “There is nothing more rewarding as an advisor than to work with a collector hand in hand to build a collection with meaning. The Bar Cross Collection at its very core is a celebration of those Native Americans of the territory and those who depicted the West at a crucial period of transformation.”
Bidding begins on January 19th, 2024.
IMPORTANT SELECTIONS FROM THE BAR CROSS RANCH COLLECTION
Green River, Wyoming
ESTIMATE: $800,000-$1,200,000
A Book of Ledger Drawings, drawn at Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Florida, circa 1876
ESTIMATE: $200,000-$300,000
Wah-ro-née-sah, The Surrounder, Chief of the Tribe
ESTIMATE: $50,000-$70,000
Door from Old Lodge, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
ESTIMATE: $40,000-$60,000
THE WEST IN ART
The Bar Cross Ranch collection of fine and decorative art is centered on the art of the Plains, whether by white European artists drawn out West to capture the landscape or the image and culture of the Plains Indians or by the nomadic tribes that once lived in Wyoming, such as the Crow, Sioux, Arapaho and Blackfeet; or the material culture of the ranchers, settlers, the cowboys that developed into rough-hewn aesthetic of the lodge and dude ranch.
The collection includes work by George Catlin, Thomas Moran, Charles Marion Russell, Joseph Henry Sharp, and Rosa Bonheur. Of note is George Catlin’s monumental work, the North American Indian Portfolio. The Portfolio was the product of not only the artist’s years of work on the Plains but also of promotion and touring with his Indian Gallery to finance the project.
THE ART OF THE WEST
The Bar Cross Ranch Collection includes:
- Numerous ledger drawings.
- Beaded bags to store and transport goods.
- A bow and arrows.
- Painted hides produced by artists and craftspeople of North American tribes.
Form followed function, and design was often dictated by purpose. Paintings on hide, clothing, or tipis were not executed for art’s sake but recorded natural, political, and cultural history. While the materials and sometimes techniques adapted to changing resources, the densely layered purpose of the objects remained.
THE WESTERN AESTHETIC
A distinct domestic aesthetic emerged as settlers, homesteaders, holiday ranchers, and artists moved to the frontier. Furniture was inspired by the rustic ranch style made with materials at hand and contemporary decorative arts, such as Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts. These styles were adapted in silverware, jewelry, stained glass, and wood-carving to evoke Native American designs and the Western landscape. Forms were simple, with an emphasis on the materials and the hand of the craftsman.
The collection includes numerous examples of hand-crafted arts & crafts furniture and lamps by Roycroft and Stickley, Van Briggle pottery, and the luminous Rookwood Indian Portrait Vases based on photographs by Frank Rinehart and Alexander Gardner, amongst others. The largest single-maker grouping in the collection is that of Thomas Molesworth furniture and lighting. Molesworth, a Wyoming-based designer, is of particular interest as he was an interior designer who insisted on a holistic aesthetic throughout the home.
OUR ADVISORY SERVICES
Providing expert service and attention to detail at every step, our team of specialists guides clients through the buying process. We work solely on our client’s behalf, acting independently from galleries, auction houses, and dealers.
Whether working with a first-time buyer or an experienced collector, we support our clients across all aspects of the acquisition process.
See our Client Projects page or Advisory Case Studies to view our recent successes on our client’s behalf.
BRINGING AN AMERICAN LANDSCAPE PAINTING COLLECTION TO SALE
The Fine Art Group was pleased to assist in the sale strategy for the collection of Maryann and Al Friedman. The collection comprises works by influential 19th and 20th-century American Hudson River School artists. Highlights include a rare South American work by Frederick Edwin Church and paintings by Jasper Francis Cropsey, William Trost Richards, and Martin Johnson Heade.
The Fine Art Group takes pride in presenting this iconic collection, a profound homage to the enduring legacy of American landscape painting.
Bidding begins on January 11th, 2024.
SELECTIONS FROM THE SALE
Northern Marsh: Sunset
Lot 21
ESTIMATE: $100,000-$150,000
Andean Sketch
Lot 18
ESTIMATE: $200,000-$300,000
Lake Near Mount Chocorua
Lot 10
ESTIMATE: $50,000-$70,000
Sunset Glow, Roman Campagna
Lot 19
ESTIMATE: $25,000-$35,000
OUR SALES AGENCY SERVICES
The Fine Art Group’s dedicated Agency team can add significant value through seamless sales management, financial reporting, and marketing optimization.
We take care of every detail of the sale process, from initial valuation all the way through to post-sale reporting and analysis, ensuring that the client communication and involvement is tailored throughout.
See our Sales Agency Case Studies to learn more about our services.
The Fine Art Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Epistola de insulis nuper inventis on behalf of a private client from Christie’s sale of Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts including Americana on October 19, 2023 for $3.9m.
The document is the earliest obtainable edition of the letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain sent by Christopher Columbus from on board the Nina and provides the first descriptions of the Americas by a modern European explorer in 1493. Originally written in Spanish, the letter was translated into Latin by Leander di Cosco and its printing is attributed to Stephen Plannck, a publisher associated with the Papal chancery in Rome.
Christopher Columbus
1493
Christie’s
October 19th, 2023
Lot 308
ESTIMATE: $1,000,000 – $1,500,000
PURCHASE PRICE: $3,922,000
Following its translation into Latin, this document spread the news of Columbus’ transatlantic voyage and sparked one of the first ever media frenzies in Europe. Its publication forever altered peoples’ perception of their world and changed the course of world history forever. Copies of the Epistola de insulis nuper inventis are extremely rare, with few known copies existing outside of institutional libraries. Before coming to auction, the present example resided in the collection of a private Swiss library for nearly a century.
Kerry-Lee Jeffrey, Senior Director, The Fine Art Group, said ‘‘We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of this important document on behalf of our client. This outstanding acquisition will be the cornerstone of a collection that explores the sweeping narrative of the United States of America through important documents.’’
Explore the Epistola de insulis nuper inventis here.
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Our Services
Offering expert Advisory across sectors, our dedicated Advisory and Sales Agency teams combine strategic insight with transparent advice to guide our clients seamlessly through the market. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss our strategies and services in depth.
SUCCESS FOR TFG CLIENT AT MAGNIFICENT JEWELS SALE
The Fine Art Group was thrilled to be able to share this important jewelry collection with Sotheby’s bidders. The jewelry collection was created in love and partnership between the consignor and his wife over many years. The couple collected a stunning array of unusual jewels by Cartier during one of the luxury brand’s most prolific periods of the 1980s/1990s, as well as high jewels by famed fashion house Dior, designed by Victoire de Castellane. The original estimation range was from $854,000 to $1,076,000, and the final sale total with an aggregate of $1,465,696.
We are so pleased that these pieces have found new and happy homes in the next chapter of their history.
THE JEWELRY COLLECTION
Total: $1,154,000
Original Estimate Range Total: $854,000-$1,076,000
SOLD JEWELRY LOT TOTALS (inclusive of aggregate):
- Eighteen karat yellow gold and diamond bracelet, Cartier: $69,850
- Eighteen karat yellow gold and diamond earrings, Cartier: $53,340
- Colored diamond and diamond earrings: $152,400
- Colored diamond and diamond ring: $190,500
- Eighteen karat yellow gold Bamboo bracelet and ring, Cartier: $44,450
- Pair of eighteen karat yellow gold and diamond Bamboo bracelets and earrings, Cartier: $60,960
- Colored diamond and diamond ‘Rose’ necklace and bracelet, Dior: $48,260
- Diamond ear clips, Dior: $69,960
- Ruby and diamond ring: $127,000
- Diamond riviere necklace: $177,800
- Eighteen karat yellow gold and diamond Babylon necklace, Cartier: $190,500
- Eighteen karat yellow gold and diamond Panther ring, Cartier: $33,026
- Eighteen karat yellow gold and diamond bracelet and ear clips, Cartier: $69,850
- Eighteen karat yellow gold jewelry suite, Cartier: $38,100
- Eighteen karat yellow gold and diamond Panther suite, Cartier: $139,700
Highlights From the CLIENTS’ SOLD COLLECTION
Click here to view the rest of the sold collection, lots 1 to 16.
Suspending two cushion-modified brilliant-cut Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds weighing 3.03 and 3.02 carats, framed and accented by round near-colorless diamonds and diamonds of yellow hue
Magnificent Jewels
Sotheby’s, New York
June 13, 20223
Lot 3
ESTIMATE: $100,000 – $150,000
SOLD: $152,400
Centering a square modified brilliant-cut Fancy Intense Yellow diamond weighing 10.27 carats, flanked by two triangle-shaped diamonds.
Magnificent Jewels
Sotheby’s, New York
June 13, 20223
Lot 4
ESTIMATE: $100,000 – $150,000
SOLD: $190,500
Two sprung cuffs are accented by round diamonds, accompanied by a similarly designed pair of earclips, total gross weight of approximately 89 dwts,
Magnificent Jewels
Sotheby’s, New York
June 13, 20223
Lot 6
ESTIMATE: $22,000 – $28,000
SOLD: $60,960
The pendants, topped by floral and bow motifs, set throughout with variously cut diamonds, signed Dior, numbered 074388, with French assay and workshop marks.
Magnificent Jewels
Sotheby’s, New York
June 13, 20223
Lot 8
ESTIMATE: $12,000 – $18,000
SOLD: $69,960
Centering a cushion-cut ruby weighing 8.22 carats, framed by pear-shaped diamonds
Magnificent Jewels
Sotheby’s, New York
June 13, 20223
Lot 10
ESTIMATE: $60,000 – $80,000
SOLD: $127,000
RELATED CONTENT
OUR SERVICES
Offering expert Advisory and Sales Agency services across sectors, our dedicated Jewelry Advisory Team combines strategic insight with transparent advice to guide our clients seamlessly through the market. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss our strategies and services in depth.
Images: All images courtesy of Sotheby’s.
The Fine Art Group is pleased with the impressive sale result for a rare book placed at Freeman’s auction house on behalf of a client. The book, The Transactions of the Royal Humane Society, is a piece from the personal library of the first President of the United States, George Washington.
From the Personal Library of President George Washington
1795
Freeman’s
May 3rd, 2023
Lot 158
ESTIMATE: $12,000 – $18,000
SOLD: $441,000
The book was estimated to sell for $12,000 to $18,000 but achieved a staggering price of $441,000. The Fine Art Group is committed to maximizing returns for its clients. The success of this sale demonstrates the potential for significant returns in the collectibles market, particularly when dealing with rare books and historically significant pieces.
OUR SERVICES
Offering expert Advisory across sectors, our dedicated Advisory and Sales Agency teams combine strategic insight with transparent advice to guide our clients seamlessly through the market. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss our strategies and services in depth.
Digue et lumières d’Ostende
1909
Christie’s
April 4th, 2023
Lot 22
ESTIMATE: EUR 300,000 – EUR 500,000
The Fine Art Group is delighted to have assisted a private client in bringing an artwork by Léon Spilliaert to the Impressionism & Modern Art Sale at Christie’s to be held on April 4th, 2023.
OUR SERVICES
Offering expert Advisory across sectors, our dedicated Advisory and Sales Agency teams combine strategic insight with transparent advice to guide our clients seamlessly through the market. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss our strategies and services in depth.