Icons of American Art: Freeman’s | Hindman’s December Auction Showcases Benton, Rockwell, Wyeth, and Pennsylvania Masters
Freeman’s | Hindman’s December 8 auction of American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists promises an exceptional lineup of works from prestigious private and institutional collections. Anchored by Thomas Hart Benton’s The Doctor (1952), the auction features Civil War-era oils by David Gilmour Blythe, iconic Hudson River School landscapes, and masterpieces of American Impressionism by Childe Hassam, Willard Leroy Metcalf, and Louis Ritman. Highlights also include a curated selection of illustrations by Norman Rockwell, N. C. Wyeth, and Stevan Dohanos, as well as celebrated Pennsylvania Impressionists like Fern Coppedge and George Sotter.
Adam Veil, Vice President and Head of the American Art department, remarked: "Once more, Freeman's | Hindman is proud to be entrusted with broadly appealing and historically significant works from important private collections. The weather notwithstanding, we're confident the market will respond warmly on December 8th."
LEFT | Willard Leroy Metcalf, Symphony in Yellow, 1911 | Estimate $100,000 – 150,000 Property from the Buck Family Collection, Philadelphia RIGHT | Birger Sandzén, Above the Timberline, c. 1920 | Estimate $20,000 – 30,000 Property from the Estate of Dr. John Talbot Gernon and Mrs. Rosetta Place Gernon
Esteemed Provenance
The auction showcases standout works from the Buck Family Collection, amassed by William “Bill” Clifton Buck (1928–2023) and Laura Thomas Buck (1931–2024). Esteemed Philadelphia philanthropists and art enthusiasts, the Bucks supported institutions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation. Their collection includes works by Maurice B. Prendergast, Willard Leroy Metcalf, and William Glackens, reflecting their refined taste and legacy of cultural contribution.
Building on the successful sale of works by Bernard Buffet, Henri Jean Guillaume Martin, Gustave Loiseau, and other celebrated artists from the distinguished Estate of Dr. John Talbot Gernon and Mrs. Rosetta Place Gernon during Freeman’s | Hindman’s October Impressionist and Modern Art auction, we are delighted to present two more remarkable pieces from this collection in our December 8th sale: Birger Sandzén’s Above the Timberline and Edward Henry Potthast’s Lake Louise, Morning.
LEFT | David Gilmour Blythe, Man Putting On Socks (Union Soldier Washing His Feet), 1861 | Estimate $50,000 – 80,000 RIGHT | N. C. Wyeth, "Now, mark me, mine host," Sir Daniel said, "follow but mine orders and I shall be your good lord ever," 1916 | Estimate $120,000 – 180,00
Notable Lots
Lot 8 | David Gilmour Blythe, Man Putting On Socks (Union Soldier Washing His Feet), 1861 Estimate: $50,000 – 80,000 David Gilmour Blythe, known for his keen satirical perspective, captures a rare and intimate glimpse into the daily life of a Union soldier during the Civil War. Based on sketches Blythe created while embedded with the Thirteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, this painting depicts a soldier washing his feet and putting on socks by a stream. This work exemplifies Blythe's talent for blending poignant detail with social commentary, offering a compelling alternative to traditional battlefield imagery.
Lot 21 | Thomas Wilmer Dewing, The Music Lesson, 1921 Estimate: $200,000 – 300,000 Thomas Wilmer Dewing’s The Music Lesson is a prime example of his mature work, showcasing the influence of Tonalism with a muted color palette and soft, diffused light. The painting features an elegant young woman in quiet engagement, capturing a timeless atmosphere of contemplation. Dewing merges romantic and classical traditions with modern techniques, drawing influence from artists like Whistler and Vermeer.
Lot 65 | Thomas Hart Benton, The Doctor, 1952 Estimate: $200,000 – 300,000 This striking portrait by Thomas Hart Benton depicts Dr. Edwin Schorer, created during a summer spent at Max Eastman’s Martha’s Vineyard home in 1952. The painting retains its original frame, crafted by Benton’s wife, Rita P. Benton, and is accompanied by the tie Dr. Schorer wore in the portrait. Benton’s depiction extends beyond a simple likeness, capturing a moment of personal connection and storytelling. The boy in the portrait, George Davis Jr., is the son of Commander Davis of the United States Navy, adding a personal and historical layer to this intimate depiction.
Lot 124 | N. C. Wyeth, "Now, mark me, mine host," Sir Daniel said, "follow but mine orders and I shall be your good lord ever," 1916 Estimate: $120,000 – 180,000 N. C. Wyeth’s striking illustration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel The Black Arrow vividly captures the tension of the Wars of the Roses. In this scene, the cunning Sir Daniel Brackley commands the innkeeper with chilling authority, reflecting the period's political and moral ambiguity. Wyeth’s expert manipulation of light and shadow amplifies the drama, demonstrating the near-constant threat of violence that hangs over its characters. This work exemplifies Wyeth’s ability to translate Stevenson’s themes of loyalty, betrayal, and power into visually compelling compositions.
LEFT | Childe Hassam, September Sunlight, c. 1887 | Estimate $250,000 – 400,000 RIGHT | Norman Rockwell, Study for Happy Birthday Miss Jones | Estimate $60,000 – 100,000
Additional Highlights Include:
· Lot 4 | John Frederick Kensett, Evening on Contentment Island, 1872 Estimate $80,000 – 120,000
· Lot 17 | Maria Oakey Dewing, Still Life with Irises, Poppies, and Mignonettes in a Blue Vase Estimate $100,000 – 150,000
· Lot 36 | Childe Hassam, The Bather (The Bather I), 1904 Estimate $150,000 – 250,000
· Lot 59 | Charles E. Burchfield, Storm over Irondale, 1920 Estimate $50,000 – 80,000
· Lot 66 | Dale Nichols, Wyoming Harvest Estimate $30,000 – 50,000
· Lot 84 | Childe Hassam, September Sunlight, c. 1887 Estimate $250,000 – 400,000
· Lot 93 | Andrew Wyeth, Park Sign, 1955 Estimate $60,000 – 100,000
· Lot 127 | Norman Rockwell, Study for Happy Birthday Miss Jones Estimate $60,000 – 100,000
· Lot 144 | Louis Ritman, Girl with a Fan, Giverny, 1914 Estimate $60,000 – 80,000
· Lot 159 | Milton Avery, Horses in Spring, c. 1936 Estimate $100,000 – 150,000
Sale Preview The sale preview will be on view from December 4 through December 7, 10AM – 5PM ET, at Freeman’s | Hindman’s Philadelphia showroom located at 2400 Market Street, and on December 8 by appointment only.