Upcoming Art Auction > Only rarely does an extraordinary Orientalist watercolor appear on the market, and now that time has come. Painted in 1873 by the Englishman John Frederick Lewis, “A Reception in the Harem” has been in a private U.S. collection since 1961, when the current owner bought it from a London dealer. It has never been seen publicly since, and can now be visited by appointment at Bonhams London, which will offer it at auction on March 26, 2025.

JOHN FREDERICK LEWIS’S “A RECEPTION IN THE HAREM”
Bonhams, London
bonhams.com

In her catalogue essay, scholar Emily Weeks says this is a larger version of Lewis’s oil painting now at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, Connecticut. Lewis was a master in both oil and watercolor, renowned then and now for jewel-like color and intricate detail. Weeks adds that Lewis “perfected an idiosyncratic approach to watercolor that could rival oil painting in the intensity of its hues (achieved through mixing watercolor pigments with Chinese white)” and in its precise brushstrokes, making it appear as “finished” and laboriously executed as an oil. Blessed with such talents, Lewis “systematically produced two nearly identical versions” of every major scene, one in each medium.

Britons’ fascination with the daily lives of fashionable women in Middle Eastern harems grew from the 18th century onward. The reclining figure on the blue divan at the scene’s center is Lewis’s wife, Marian, and her ornate surroundings were inspired by the reception room of their Cairo home. The Lewises lived in the Egyptian capital for 10 years, and in 1846, no less a tourist than the novelist William Makepeace Thackeray envied Lewis’s “dreamy, hazy, lazy, tobaccofied life” there.

Before it came to America in 1961, this watercolor was owned by a series of well-known connoisseurs and ogled at well-attended exhibitions in 1878, 1887, 1891, and 1898. Because it may go right back into a private collection on March 26, art lovers visiting London this winter are strongly encouraged to go see it at Bonhams.

Attention Art Collectors!
May 20-22, 2025: Visit the Plein Air Convention & Expo’s robust pop-up art gallery at the Nugget Casino Resort in Reno, Nevada, where hundreds of artists, including our master faculty, will have studio and plein air works on display and ready to purchase. Register for the full event at PleinAirConvention.com now.

View artist and collector profiles here at FineArtConnoisseur.com.

Wildlife Art on View (and much more):
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
Charleston, South Carolina
sewe.com
February 14-16, 2025

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is ready to celebrate its 43rd anniversary and fill the streets of downtown Charleston with animal lovers of all stripes. Once again, SEWE will program a fine art gallery and an exhibition of artisans and craftsmen alongside its popular demonstrations of dogs and birds of prey in action, plus lively displays by conservation organizations and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Drawing at least 50,000 visitors each year, these activities highlight the urgent need to protect wildlife and preserve our natural resources.

The art exhibition features more than 90 painters and sculptors, both established and emerging. They range from the hand-carved feather artistry of sculptor Chris Maynard (Olympia, Washington) to international big game painters like Grant Hacking (South Africa) and Audubon-inspired artists such as Art LaMay (Palm Coast, Florida).

This year’s featured artist is Ray Brown, whose charcoal drawing “Veiled” (above) will be visible everywhere on the festival’s official poster. Illustrated here, this original wildlife art will be on display at the Gallery by SEWE, then auctioned during the VIP gala and sale on February 13. Brown has joined a small, distinguished circle of SEWE’s featured artists including John Banovich, Greg Beecham, Kathleen Dunphy, Julie Jeppsen, and Ryan Kirby.

“This is truly an honor and a validation of the work I’ve done over the years,” Brown declares. “But more than that, it’s a full-circle moment for me. SEWE was the first show where I exhibited my work, more than 20 years ago. To be chosen now takes me back to that first time I walked into the ballroom, and I feel proud of what I’ve accomplished since then. I’m grateful that SEWE has continued to support me and provide a platform to showcase my work and passion for wildlife.”

Brown is known for evocative charcoal pieces, and his choice of medium reflects his commitment to simplicity and authenticity. He strives to convey profound depth and emotion through textures and thoughtful compositions. In “Veiled,” he depicts an enormous bull moose, which symbolizes the noble qualities of wildlife.

Brown’s journey began with a B.S. degree in visual communications, which led to a career in commercial illustration and graphic design in his hometown of Baltimore. Longing to capture the spirit of nature, Brown seized an opportunity in 2003 to relocate to Southern California, where he has pursued fine art full-time.

Throughout the year, SEWE welcomes art lovers to its Gallery by SEWE in The Shops at Charleston Place downtown. This space is a continuation of the festival’s popular fine art venue, and is also home to a program of artist residencies.

Brafa, Europe’s longest-running art fair, is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Its halls will feature approximately 130 galleries from across Europe offering works ranging from African art, Old Master paintings, and contemporary to antique and design furniture, metalwork, carpets, books, and jewelry. Free tours will be conducted in English regularly.

Belgium’s Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage will host a space inside the fair where, twice each day, its conservators will demonstrate their scientific techniques and findings during interactive workshops.

Details:
Brafa Art Fair
Brussels, Belgium
January 26–February 2, 2025
www.brafa.art/en

Happening Now: Watercolor Live – Art Auction and Online Conference

For artists, art lovers, and collectors: Watch and interact with world-renowned artists as they demonstrate their skills at Watercolor Live now through Friday. Included is an exclusive faculty art auction (live January 20-26).

On the popular Essential Techniques Day earlier this week, Publisher Eric Rhoads and Editor-in-Chief Kelly Kane welcomed us with encouragement and everything we needed to know to have a great week at Watercolor Live.

Artists from all over the world are together online through January 26th to learn, grow, be inspired, make friends, network, and – dare we say it – have fun!

The silent auction and sale takes place through January 26, 2025. View the artworks here.

Watch and interact with watercolor teachers such as Thomas Schaller, Alvaro Castagnet, Bjorn Bernstrom, Xi Guo, David Stickel, Kelly Eddington, Shelley Prior, and many more, hosted by Publisher Eric Rhoads and PleinAir Magazine and American Watercolor Weekly Editor-in-Chief Kelly Kane.

It’s not too late to join us at WatercolorLive.com now, and replays of the event are available. See you there!

Artists: We want to help you grow, become a better artist, learn new ideas and techniques, and give you some world-class painting instruction from master artists — all while introducing you to a community that will support you!

View more fine art auctions and sales here at FineArtConnoisseur.com.

The current Swann Galleries auction is dedicated to the Artists of the WPA. Works in photography, cartography, printmaking, posters, and painting are all represented in this reflection on how the early twentieth century changed American culture.⁠

More from the organizers:

The economic hardships of the 1930s, as well as the drought across the North American prairie, were of great concern to lawmakers in Washington, DC. The agencies that formed as part of the New Deal, an “alphabet soup” that included the Works Progress Administration, the Farm Security Administration, and the Federal Art Project, put artists to work. These artists expressed empathy for the American farmer, as seen in Thomas Hart Benton’s romanticized vision of farm life in Missouri Farmyard, and Dorothea Lange’s tender documentation of the plight of families experiencing the Dust Bowl era.

The sale is a timed online auction that will begin closing on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 12 PM EST. Bidding is available on the Swann Galleries App and on live.swanngalleries.com. Exhibition hours are 12 pm to 5 pm on Saturday, January 25, and Monday, January 27 through Wednesday, January 29.

Paintings and original works are represented by Philip Howard Evergood’s oil-on-panel Great Neck Landscape, circa 1935 ($1,200-1,800); August Mosca’s Portrait of Joseph Stella, oil on canvas, 1944 ($1,000-1,500); Cecil Crosley Bell’s Horse Auction, New York, gouache on paper, 1937 ($1,500-2,500); Doris Emrick Lee’s Early Spring Landscape, oil on canvas ($3,000-5,000); and Paul Raphael Meltsner’s R.F.D. 36, oil on canvas ($4,000-6,000).

Prints featured in the sale include Thomas Hart Benton’s Missouri Farmyard, lithograph, 1936 ($2,000-3,000); Louis Schanker’s Jai-Alai, color woodcut, 1939 ($1,000-1,500); Peggy Brook Bacon’s The Artist, (Alexander Brook), charcoal, circa 1925 ($1,000-1,500); and Katherine Milhous’s Visit Pennsylvania / Pre-Revolutionary Costumes, lithograph poster, circa 1936 ($1,000-1,500).

Attention Art Collectors!
May 20-22, 2025: Visit the Plein Air Convention & Expo’s robust pop-up art gallery at the Nugget Casino Resort in Reno, Nevada, where hundreds of artists, including our master faculty, will have studio and plein air works on display and ready to purchase. Register for the full event at PleinAirConvention.com now.

The Winter Show in NYC, a benefit for East Side House, announces its highlights, including over 70 exhibitors of rare and exceptional art and antiques, taking place January 24 through February 2, 2025.

More from the organizers:

With dealers from across the Americas and Europe, the 2025 edition of The Winter Show will once again showcase the finest museum-quality works to an international audience of collectors, connoisseurs, and enthusiasts, alongside an acclaimed program of talks, panels, and events with leading experts in art, antiques, and design.

All ticket proceeds from the fair and its benefit events, including the Opening Night Party on January 23, sponsored by Bank of America, and Young Collectors Night on January 30, directly fund East Side House Settlement. Chubb returns as The Winter Show’s presenting sponsor, celebrating 29 years of partnership and support.

Executive Director Helen Allen said, “With every edition of The Winter Show, we look forward to sharing the world-class works our dealers bring to the fair. This year, we are particularly pleased with the exciting range of works across periods, styles, cultures, and makers. We are proud to uphold our extremely high standards of excellence among our exhibitors, ensuring a selection of truly unique and remarkable works for collectors and fairgoers of every variety. As always, the experience will be enhanced by complementary programming featuring panels and lectures by experts across the fields of art and design.”

For more details about The Winter Show benefit for East Side House, please visit www.thewintershow.org.

Realism Live, the world’s largest online realism art training event, is taking place this November 13-15, 2024.

Hosted over 3 days, more than 20 of today’s most accomplished artists are ready to help you take your art to the highest levels.

Here’s What Realism Live Means for You and Your Art:

• Watch, learn, and paint with the best: You’ll be right there with the top artists, seeing every brushstroke, every technique — step-by-step, up close and personal. It’s like having a front-row seat, no matter where you are.
• Faculty art auction: Bid on works from your favorite contemporary artists.
• Interactive learning: This event isn’t about passive watching. You’ll get to ask questions during live Q&A sessions, participate in group discussions, and even join virtual breakout sessions to connect with other artists.
• A community of like-minded artists: One of the most powerful aspects of Realism Live is the opportunity to connect with hundreds of other artists. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been painting for years, you’ll find support, encouragement, and a creative network that lasts long after the event ends.
• Access to replays: Can’t make every session live? No problem. You’ll get access to the event replays, so you can watch the demonstrations again and again, at your own pace.

There are three ticket levels to choose from so you’re sure to find one that meets your needs and budget.

Find out more about Realism Live and register today at RealismLive.com.

Read: Unforgettable Moments From Realism Live

The American Plains Artists has announced the winners of their 2024 Signature Art Show that opened at the Prairie Arts Center in North Platte, Nebraska.

From the organizers:

A large, continuous crowd enjoyed seeing this impressive display of artworks. Winning Best of Show was “Rattlesnake Glen,” an oil painting by Charlie Bullock of Athens, TX.

The Publisher’s Award of Excellence sponsored by Art of the West magazine went to “Morning Glow on the Bosque” by Lloyd Voges of Clifton, TX.

And the Publisher’s Award of Excellence Artist Focus sponsored by Western Art Collector was won by “Smokin’,” a bronze by Mary Michael of Harlowton, MT.

The North Platte Award went to “The Stillness of the Land” by David Dorsey of Valentine, NE.

The Golden Spur Award (APA Signature Members Choice) went to “Gentle Nudges” by June Dudley of College Station, TX.

The Arrowhead Award (chosen by the hosting facility) was “Jack Scratch,” a bronze by Sherry Blanchard Stuart of Scottsdale, AZ.

Winning the Plainsman (People’s Choice) Award was “These Few Precious Days,” a colored pencil by Eileen Nistler of Upton, WY.

The public is encouraged to view the show online at www.americanplainsartists.com.

This comprehensive exhibition features oil & acrylic paintings, watercolors, sculpture and drawings from more than 80 artists. Curated by the AAPL, most works of art will be for sale.

Opening October 28th and running through November 15th, the works will be displayed in the Skylight Gallery of the historic Salmagundi Club of New York. The 96th Grand National Exhibition will be open to the public, free of charge. Awards will be announced at the reception, November 1, along with a silent auction of exquisite nude oil paintings by Kenju Urakubo, and a live painting demonstration by master pastelist Karen Israel. The schedule of events is posted at AAPLinc.org/96-gne.

All admirers of figurative realism are invited to participate in the silent auction. Two exquisite paintings by Kenju Urakubo will be offered to the highest bidders in a silent auction and will be displayed at the exhibition prior to the drawing.

Kenju Urakubo studied oil painting at Tama Art University in Tokyo before making his permanent home in New York. His work has been shown in prestigious galleries and museums, winning him numerous awards. For more than two decades, Kenju’s serene oil paintings of female nudes graced AAPL’s Grand National Exhibitions, earning him Signature status. Kenju was a finalist in the 2nd ARC Salon and an award winner in the 3rd ARC Salon. Rumi, the late Kenju’s wife, has generously donated several paintings to AAPL. To honor Kenju and Rumi’s longtime patronage, a scholarship will be established with 100% of the proceeds from the paintings. The Rumi & Kenju Urakubo Scholarship will be awarded to a student of classical realism studying at an ARC-approved American atelier.

The River Arts District (RAD) in Asheville, North Carolina has been decimated by historic flooding. Most of the 26 buildings experienced catastrophic destruction including art and the supplies and equipment used by creators.

The Artists for RAD auction takes place online now through October 26, 2024. Browse all of the artworks and bid here on paintings by Anne Blair Brown, Kyle Buckland, Richard Oversmith, Dawn Whitelaw, Jason Sacran, Larry Moore, Joe Gyurcsak, Lori Putnam, Roger Dale Brown, and more.

Richard Oversmith coordinated this auction to raise money for the artists who have lost everything at their studios in the River Arts District. He says, “I hope you will take a look and bid on anything that catches your fancy. There are some great works in here and it goes to a great cause. Please bid often!”

From the auction organizers:

We will be working to restore the creativity and inspiration of our beloved River Arts District. Our goal is to assist our artists as best we can with rent and supplies. The only way this is possible is with your support.

The goal of the art auction is to raise money to benefit the artists and businesses of the River Arts District in Asheville, NC. As you may know, the RAD was devastated by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene and could use our help.

Visit the Artists for RAD auction now.