Inaugural Old Master Paintings Auctions

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Freeman's, the oldest auction house in America, is eager to achieve another milestone in conjunction with their Scottish partner Lyon & Turnbull.  Old Master Paintings, Drawings & Prints will be composed of two inaugural auctions this fall, the first on September 28th in Edinburgh and the second on October 7th in Philadelphia.  Each auction will offer an impressive array of works by preeminent European artists from the 16th through the 18th centuries such as Rembrandt Van Rijn, Johannes Christaan Schotel, Hubert Robert, Jean-Baptiste Garnier, Sir Henry Raeburn, and Franz Xaver Petter.

Senior Old Master Specialist David Weiss articulates that, "while Freeman's has always sold Old Master works, this is the first time that works within this category have been sourced, catalogued, marketed and sold in the context of two, single genre auctions. We believe this 'specialized category' permits both auction houses to most effectively present the artwork on offer, thereby helping sellers to maximize prices, while enabling buyers of early European artwork the convenience of single catalogue shopping in two convenient venues. Freeman's and Lyon & Turnbull will offer greater hands-on service than the larger New York or London-based Old Master specialist auctions without sacrificing either the quality of goods presented or the world class expertise provided to both buyer and seller."

Highlights of Freeman's October 7th sale include Hubert Robert's "Lavandieres at a Stream, in a Classical Landscape with Ruins," an early work by the artist estimated at $60,000-80,000.  Jean-Baptiste Garnier's "Abricots et Prunes" and Franz Xaver Petter's "Still Life with Roses and Tulips" are estimated at $30,000-50,000 each.  "Virgin and Child" and "Young Man in Interior, The Virgin, Christ Child and Saint Peter in the Distance," attributed to the Circles of Pieter Coeck Van Aelst The Elder and Adriaen Hanneman, respectively, are estimated at $12,000-18,000 each.

Freeman's invites all interested Old Master collectors and enthusiasts to attend the Old Master Paintings exhibition, showing in conjunction with International Furniture & Decorative Arts, Friday, September 30th through Thursday, October 6th.  The auction will take place Friday, October 7th at 11am.

ABOUT FREEMAN’S

Founded in 1805, Samuel T. Freeman & Co. has upheld an exemplary role as America's oldest auction house. Located on Chestnut Street, Freeman's offers over 30 auctions a year in categories including: American Furniture, Decorative & Folk Arts, English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Fine American & European Paintings & Sculpture, Modern and Contemporary Art, Rare Books, Oriental Rugs, Fine Jewelry & Watches. Freeman's also provides a full range of appraisal services from insurance, probate, family division and charitable contribution to inventory and insurance loss. For more information, visit www.freemansauction.com or contact 267.414.1240.

Media inquiries:
Mary Knapp 267.414.1240 [email protected]

SOURCE Freeman's