Swann Auction Galleries Marks 20 Years of African American Art Sales with October 1 Auction
On Thursday, October 1, Swann Auction Galleries will host an auction marking the 20th anniversary of its African American Art department. This sale showcases a variety of artists whose careers have been supported by this department. Highlighting the auction is Elizabeth Catlett's I Am the Black Woman, a full set of 14 linoleum cuts (including three in color) from 1946–47, with an estimated value of $120,000–180,000. These prints debuted at Catlett's inaugural solo exhibition at the Barnett-Aden Gallery. The set for auction, printed in 1989 and numbered 9/20, is one of only two complete sets ever sold at auction, the other being at Swann in 2013. Also included is Jacob Lawrence's The Legend of John Brown, a portfolio of 22 color screenprints from 1977, valued at $75,000–100,000, along with other significant prints.
Key facts
- Swann Auction Galleries' African American Art department was founded 20 years ago.
- The anniversary auction takes place on Thursday, October 1.
- Elizabeth Catlett's I Am the Black Woman is a complete set of 14 linoleum cuts, three printed in color, from 1946–47.
- The Catlett set is estimated at $120,000–180,000.
- The prints were first shown in Catlett's first solo exhibition at the Barnett-Aden Gallery.
- The set being auctioned was printed in 1989 and is numbered 9/20.
- A complete set of I Am the Black Woman last appeared at auction at Swann in 2013.
- Jacob Lawrence's The Legend of John Brown is a complete portfolio of 22 color screenprints from 1977, estimated at $75,000–100,000.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Swann Auction Galleries
- Barnett-Aden Gallery