New York
Master to Master: The Nelson Shanks Collection 
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
For all enquiries please contact:
Old Master Paintings
George Wachter
Chairman, N & S America
Co-Chairman, Old Master Paintings Worldwide
+1 212 606 7206
Otto Naumann
Senior Vice President, Director of Client Development
+1 212 606 7230
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
Calvine Harvey
Vice President, Specialist
+1 212 606 7230
Elisabeth Lobkowicz
Vice President, Specialist
+1 212 606 7230
elisabeth.lobkowicz@sothebys.com
Molly Harrington
Senior Researcher
+1 212 606 7230
Lily Bua
Sale Administrator
+1 212 606 7230
Alison MacQueen
Executive Assistant
+1 212 606 7230
European Sculpture and Works of Art
Margaret H. Schwartz
Senior Vice President, Co-Worldwide Head
+1 212 606 7406
Emily Selter
Senior Manager and Researcher, European Works of Art
+ 212-894-1372
Old Master Drawings
Alexander Faber
Vice President, Specialist
Old Master Drawings
+1 212 606 7552
European Furniture
Dennis Harrington
Vice President, Head of Department
+1 212 606 7213
dennis.harrington@sothebys.com
all images © the gallery and the artist(s)
Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, called Parmigianino A dog wearing a collar decorated with scallop shells
Manner of Antonio Begarelli, Italian, second half 16th century Madonna and Child
After Benedetto da Maiano, Italian, Florence, probably 16th century Relief of the Madonna and Child
Flemish, probably Brussels last quarter 15th century Candle-Bearing Angel
Ippolito Scarsella, called Scarsellino Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Giovanni Lanfranco The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
Annibale Carracci A woman, her hands clasped, looking down to the right
Baldassare Francheschini, called Volterrano Sleeping Cupid
Guido Cagnacci An allegory of Vanity and Penitence
Nelson Shanks Diana, Princess of Wales
Nelson Shanks Luciano Pavarotti (A Sketch)
Nelson Shanks Ronald Reagan (A Sketch)
Nelson Shanks Renée Fleming (A Sketch)
Nelson Shanks William Jefferson Clinton (A Sketch)
Francesco del Cairo A sybil in a white turban
Genoese School, 17th Century The Denial of Saint Peter
Giovanni Maria Morandi The Rest on the Flight to Egypt
South German, Franconia, 16th century Bust of a Bishop Saint
South German, Swabia, last quarter 15th century Saint Barbara
Pair of Italian Renaissance brass Pricket candlesticks Early 17th Century
Pair of Italian baroque parcel-gilt walnut armchairs 17th century and later
A matched pair of Italian Renaissance carved walnut one-door credenzas Late 16th Century and later
Italian Renaissance carved walnut refectory table Late 16th Century and Later
Bartolomeo Schedoni The Penitent Magdalene in meditation with two angels
Sir Anthony van Dyck Head study of Saint Anthony of Padua
Giovanni di Niccolò de Lutero, called Dosso Dossi Venus and Cupid in a landscape
Pier Francesco Mola Portrait of a boy, head and shoulders, in a red doublet and white cap
Jacopo da Ponte, called Jacopo Bassano Three male martyr saints, including Saint Stephen
Artist Palette, Artist's Easel, Easel Crank
Artist's Articulated Model, 20th century
Group of Four Plaster Artist's Models
Nelson Shanks Houdon and Coins
Nelson Shanks Gramercy Studio
Genoese School, 17th Century The Adoration of the Magi
Giovanni Battista Gaulli, called Baciccio The Madonna and Child with St. Catherine of Siena
Flemish, 18th century Busts of children
After Louis Garnier and Francois Anguier Bacchus and Amphitrite Bacchus and Amphitrite
Italian, 18th century Young Hercules Wrestling a Snake
After Giambologna Probably Italian, late 18th/ 19th century Hercules Wielding his Club
Sebastiano Ricci A bacchanal
Francesco Solimena Zeuxis Painting Venus with the Maidens of Croton
Alessandro Tiarini Joseph's bloodied clothes shown to Rachel and Jacob
Carlo Cignani An Allegory of the Five Senses
Mattia Preti Saint John the Baptist Admonishing Herod
French, 18th century, After the Antique Venus de' Medici
Italian, probably Venice, 18th Century Style Pair of Rearing Horses
Bernardo Strozzi Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child
Annibale Carracci Portrait of a man, bust-length, in a ruff
Bernardo Cavallino The vision of Saint Anthony of Padua
Spanish, 17th century Lectern
Italian, Venice, 17th century Drug jar
Pair of Italian late Renaissance carved walnut sgabelli, Late 16th/Early 17th Century and Later
Italian Renaissance style carved walnut small octagonal centre table probably 19th century, incorporating earlier elements
