Master to Master: The Nelson Shanks Collection

Sotheby’s New York, New York

Auction: Thu 27 Jan 2022

Exhibition: Sat 22 Jan 2022 - Wed 26 Jan 2022

1334 York Avenue, NY 10021 Master to Master: The Nelson Shanks Collection

Mon-Fri 10am-5pm

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27 January 2022 | New York | full auction details

Sotheby’s is honored to present the collection of Nelson Shanks (1937 - 2015), American realist painter and portraitist to international leaders and celebrities. In addition to his own work, Shanks was renowned for his collection of Old Master paintings, sculpture, drawings, furniture, and decorative arts, all of which are offered in this exceptional sale. Shanks established a studio, art school and home in Pennsylvania, where visitors to his collection admired the high quality and rarity of the works by the most important Italian baroque artists. Highlights from the sale include a monumental masterpiece by Neapolitan artist Mattia Preti, with provenance dating back to its commission, a rare mature work by Guido Cagnacci, and a magnificent Venus by Dosso Dossi, which was thought to be lost until Shanks recognized it and acquired it. Shanks delighted in researching new acquisitions, and indeed correctly identified several works sold anonymously at auction: in addition to the Dosso, he recognized the quality of the Mola, Scarsellino, and Del Cairo in this sale, which are all accepted as autograph works.

From Shanks's own hand we are delighted to offer head studies for four commissioned portraits painted by Shanks of Princess Diana, Luciano Pavarotti, Renée Fleming, and Presidents Reagan and Clinton. Shanks was beloved for his ability to capture the inner mood and personality of his sitters, whom he painted from life over many sittings, following painterly tradition dating back to the Renaissance. It is no surprise, given his love for both realist painting and life study and the art of seventeenth century Italy, that he named his own art school, Studio Incamminati, after the academy founded by the Carracci family in Bologna.

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:

+1 212 606 7000

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For all enquiries please contact:

Old Master Paintings

George Wachter

Chairman, N & S America

Co-Chairman, Old Master Paintings Worldwide

+1 212 606 7206

george.wachter@sothebys.com

Otto Naumann

Senior Vice President, Director of Client Development

+1 212 606 7230

otto.naumann@sothebys.com

Christopher Apostle

Senior Vice President, Head of Department

+1 212 606 7230

christopher.apostle@sothebys.com

David Pollack

Senior Vice President, Specialist

+1 212 606 7230

david.pollack@sothebys.com

Calvine Harvey

Vice President, Specialist

+1 212 606 7230

calvine.harvey@sothebys.com

Elisabeth Lobkowicz

Vice President, Specialist

+1 212 606 7230

elisabeth.lobkowicz@sothebys.com

Molly Harrington

Senior Researcher

+1 212 606 7230

molly.harrington@sothebys.com

Lily Bua

Sale Administrator

+1 212 606 7230

lily.bua@sothebys.com

Alison MacQueen

Executive Assistant

+1 212 606 7230

alison.macqueen@sothebys.com

European Sculpture and Works of Art

Margaret H. Schwartz

Senior Vice President, Co-Worldwide Head

+1 212 606 7406

margi.schwartz@sothebys.com

Emily Selter

Senior Manager and Researcher, European Works of Art

+ 212-894-1372

emily.selter@sothebys.com

Old Master Drawings

Alexander Faber

Vice President, Specialist

Old Master Drawings

+1 212 606 7552

alexander.faber@sothebys.com

European Furniture

Dennis Harrington

Vice President, Head of Department

+1 212 606 7213

dennis.harrington@sothebys.com

Selected Lots

Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, called Parmigianino
A dog wearing a collar decorated with scallop shells
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Manner of Antonio Begarelli, Italian, second half 16th century
Madonna and Child
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After Benedetto da Maiano, Italian, Florence, probably 16th century
Relief of the Madonna and Child
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Flemish, probably Brussels last quarter 15th century
Candle-Bearing Angel
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Ippolito Scarsella, called Scarsellino
Judith with the Head of Holofernes
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Giovanni Lanfranco
The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
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Annibale Carracci
A woman, her hands clasped, looking down to the right
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Baldassare Francheschini, called Volterrano
Sleeping Cupid
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Guido Cagnacci
An allegory of Vanity and Penitence
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Nelson Shanks
Diana, Princess of Wales
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Nelson Shanks
Luciano Pavarotti (A Sketch)
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Nelson Shanks
Ronald Reagan (A Sketch)
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Nelson Shanks
Renée Fleming (A Sketch)
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Nelson Shanks
William Jefferson Clinton (A Sketch)
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Francesco del Cairo
A sybil in a white turban
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Genoese School, 17th Century
The Denial of Saint Peter
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Giovanni Maria Morandi
The Rest on the Flight to Egypt
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South German, Franconia, 16th century
Bust of a Bishop Saint
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South German, Swabia, last quarter 15th century
Saint Barbara
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Pair of Italian Renaissance brass Pricket candlesticks Early 17th Century
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Pair of Italian baroque parcel-gilt walnut armchairs 17th century and later
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A matched pair of Italian Renaissance carved walnut one-door credenzas Late 16th Century and later
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Italian Renaissance carved walnut refectory table Late 16th Century and Later
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Bartolomeo Schedoni
The Penitent Magdalene in meditation with two angels
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Sir Anthony van Dyck
Head study of Saint Anthony of Padua
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Giovanni di Niccolò de Lutero, called Dosso Dossi
Venus and Cupid in a landscape
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Pier Francesco Mola
Portrait of a boy, head and shoulders, in a red doublet and white cap
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Jacopo da Ponte, called Jacopo Bassano
Three male martyr saints, including Saint Stephen
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Artist Palette, Artist's Easel, Easel Crank
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Artist's Articulated Model, 20th century
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Group of Four Plaster Artist's Models
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Nelson Shanks
Houdon and Coins
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Nelson Shanks
Gramercy Studio
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Genoese School, 17th Century
The Adoration of the Magi
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Giovanni Battista Gaulli, called Baciccio
The Madonna and Child with St. Catherine of Siena
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Flemish, 18th century
Busts of children
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After Louis Garnier and Francois Anguier Bacchus and Amphitrite
Bacchus and Amphitrite
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Italian, 18th century
Young Hercules Wrestling a Snake
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After Giambologna Probably Italian, late 18th/ 19th century
Hercules Wielding his Club
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Sebastiano Ricci
A bacchanal
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Francesco Solimena
Zeuxis Painting Venus with the Maidens of Croton
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Alessandro Tiarini
Joseph's bloodied clothes shown to Rachel and Jacob
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Carlo Cignani
An Allegory of the Five Senses
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Mattia Preti
Saint John the Baptist Admonishing Herod
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French, 18th century, After the Antique
Venus de' Medici
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Italian, probably Venice, 18th Century Style
Pair of Rearing Horses
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Bernardo Strozzi
Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child
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Annibale Carracci
Portrait of a man, bust-length, in a ruff
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Bernardo Cavallino
The vision of Saint Anthony of Padua
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Spanish, 17th century
Lectern
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Italian, Venice, 17th century
Drug jar
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Pair of Italian late Renaissance carved walnut sgabelli, Late 16th/Early 17th Century and Later
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Italian Renaissance style carved walnut small octagonal centre table probably 19th century, incorporating earlier elements
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