William Etty (British, 1787–1849), , Woodland Nymph

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European Art & Old Masters

By Freeman's

Feb 23, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-23 12:00:00 2021-02-23 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : European Art & Old Masters https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/freemans/european-art-old-masters-6395
A collection of important European artworks including an important rediscovered painting by Carl Moll, and three newly authenticated works by 17th century French and Italian Masters, Valentin de Boulogne, Carlo Dolci and Lionello Spada. Curated by David Weiss, Head of Sale. Freeman's info@freemansauction.com

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• Lot Description
  William Etty (British, 1787–1849)

  Woodland Nymph

  Oil on panel

  20 3/4 x 26 3/4 in. (52.7 x 67.9cm)

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  PROVENANCE:

  Sotheby's, London, sale of November 22, 2007, lot 83 (sold as A Young Woman Reclining on a Fur Rug).

  Acquired directly from the above sale.

  The Forbes Collection, Florida.

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  NOTE:

  A Royal Academician and pupil of Sir Thomas Lawrence – whose works he copied as a student painter – William Etty was both a highly respected yet controversial figure in British art of the first half of the 19th century due to his penchant for specializing in the realistic, non-idealized depiction of nudes, mostly female, as in the present eight lots offered here. Said the British newspaper The Times in 1822 – one year after Etty finally began to realize critical success with his historical Shakespearian-themed The Arrival of Cleopatra in Cicilia at the Royal Academy – “We take this opportunity of advising Mr. Etty, who got some reputation for painting ‘Cleopatra’s Gallery,’ not to be seduced into a style which can gratify only the most vicious taste. Naked figures, when painted with the purity of Raphael, may be endured: but nakedness without purity is offensive and indecent.” Not swayed by critics, Etty would go on to execute grand paintings based on literary, historical, and mythological themes, including Pandora Crowned by the Seasons, The Combat: Woman Pleading for the Vanquished, and The Sirens and Ulysses. Interestingly, despite the fame he achieved, Etty was to remain a constant fixture at life classes at The Royal Academy drawing schools. Prolific, highly successful, and eventually well-regarded, Etty’s reputation waned with the subsequent rise in popularity of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which Etty is nonetheless considered to have influenced. An important exhibition of Etty’s work in 2011-2012 at the York Art Gallery, along with the inclusion of five of his paintings in Tate Britain’s “Exposed: The Victorian Nude’” exhibition in 2001-2002 did help restore Etty’s reputation and standing in 19th century British painting. The eight Etty oil paintings included in the present auction, each from the Forbes Collection, reveal the skill and polish with which Etty renders “the female form, in its fulness [sic], beauty of colour, exquisite rotundity, may, by being portrayed in its nudity, awake like nature in some degree an approach to passion.”

• Shipping Info

  • No lot may be removed from Freeman’s premises until the buyer has paid in full the purchase price therefor including Buyer’s Premium or has satisfied such terms that Freeman’s, in its sole discretion, shall require. Subject to the foregoing, all Property shall be paid for and removed by the buyer at his/ her expense within ten (10) days of sale and, if not so removed, may be sold by Freeman’s, or sent by Freeman’s to a third-party storage facility, at the sole risk and charge of the buyer(s), and Freeman’s may prohibit the buyer from participating, directly or indirectly, as a bidder or buyer in any future sale or sales. In addition to other remedies available to Freeman’s by law, Freeman’s reserves the right to impose a late charge of 1.5% per month of the total purchase price on any balance remaining ten (10) days after the day of sale. If Property is not removed by the buyer within ten (10) days, a handling charge of 2% of the total purchase price per month from the tenth day after the sale until removal by the buyer shall be payable to Freeman’s by the buyer. Freeman’s will not be responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or otherwise responsible for any goods left in Freeman’s possession after ten (10) days. If the foregoing conditions or any applicable provisions of law are not complied with, in addition to other remedies available to Freeman’s and the Consignor (including without limitation the right to hold the buyer(s) liable for the bid price) Freeman’s, at its option, may either cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the buyer(s), or resell the property. In such event, the buyer(s) shall remain liable for any deficiency in the original purchase price and will also be responsible for all costs, including warehousing, the expense of the ultimate sale, and Freeman’s commission at its regular rates together with all related and incidental charges, including legal fees. Payment is a precondition to removal. Payment shall be by cash, certified check or similar bank draft, or any other method approved by Freeman’s. Checks will not be deemed to constitute payment until cleared. Any exceptions must be made upon Freeman’s written approval of credit prior to sale. In addition, a defaulting buyer will be deemed to have granted and assigned to Freeman’s, a continuing security interest of first priority in any property or money of, or owing to such buyer in Freeman’s possession, and Freeman’s may retain and apply such property or money as collateral security for the obligations due to Freeman’s. Freeman’s shall have all of the rights accorded a secured party under the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code.

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	29.00
    $600,000	23.00
    $3,000,000	15.00