Works by Weisse, Rosati set records at Clars fine art sale

OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery featured an exceptional fine art sale on Nov. 11, which drew highly competitive offers from collectors and galleries around the world. Impressive works from American and European artists, contemporary to Old Masters, drove record bidding resulting in three new world records.

Rick Unruh, vice president and director of fine art, commented after the event, “We were very pleased with numerous lots far exceeding their estimates in Sunday’s sale. In particular, the painting, A Moment of Prayer by Rudolf Johann Weisse (Swiss, 1846-1933), sold to a winning phone bidder in Europe for $82,950. This was a new world record for the artist and just one example of our ever increasing global presence.” This striking Orientalist painting came to the sale with a presale estimate of $40,000 to $60,000.

The second new record was set for American abstract sculptor James Rosati (1911-1988). Rosati is best known for his large stone and stainless steel sculptures of which approximately 40 are on display around the world. The record setting work offered at Clars was a painted steel sculpture he titled Big Red, 1963. Expected to fetch $20,000 on the high side, this work earned a record $24, 885.

The most surprising and exciting offering of the sale was another sculpture that well exceeded its $4,000 to $6,000 estimate and also set a new record for an after bronze of Jean de (Giovanni da) Bologna (Italian, 1529-1608). This 19th century Italian School bronze sculpture titled The Rape of the Sabine Women, was a rare early casting of this work, measuring 22 inches high on a 5-inch marble base. An international bidding war ensued on this piece driving the winning hammer price to $82,950.

Furthering the strong performance of sculptures at this sale was the bronze by Henri Godet (French, 1863-1937) titled, Le Ravissement de Psyche (after Bouguereau), which sold very well for $13, 035 followed by another highly successful sale of an Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012) bronze, this one titled Mother and Child, which fetched just under $8,300.

A new edition record was earned for Wayne Thiebaud (Californian, b. 1920) on his color etching Freeway Curve, which sold for $7,110. The solid price of $11,850 was realized for Vagaries of War, the framed oil on board by Henri Bernard Goetz (French, 1909-1989) and earning almost double its high estimate was Garden by the Sea, an oil on canvas by Guiseppe D’Angelico Pino (American, 1939-2010) which sold for $8,888.

Clars' November Fine Art sale was one of their most impressive to date fueling the overall sale gross of $1.2 million.

For complete information on the November Fine Art sale visit www.clars.com, call 510-428-0100 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.