News

Rare first edition of John James Audubon 's 'The Birds of America' to be sold at Christie's

Aaron — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:43 +0000

John James Audubon(1785-1851). The Birds of America; from Original Drawings. London: Published by the Author, 1827-1838. Estimate 7,000,000 - 10,000,000 U.S. dollars. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012.

By: Ula Ilnytzky, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP).- A rare first edition of John James Audubon's sumptuously illustrated "The Birds of America," depicting more than 400 life-size North American species in four monumental volumes, is going on the auction block for an estimated $7 million to $10 million.

Considered a masterpiece of ornithology art, the 3½ -foot-tall books feature hand-colored prints of all the species known to Audubon in early 19th century America. Audubon insisted on the book's large format — printed on the largest hand-made sheets available at the time — because of his desire to portray the birds in their actual size and natural habitat.

The set, being sold by the heirs of the 4th Duke of Portland, will be auctioned by Christie's Jan. 20. It will be accompanied by a complete first edition five-volume set of Audubon's "Ornithological Biography." They will be on view at Christie's Rockefeller Center galleries Jan. 14-19.

Experts estimate that 200 complete first edition copies were produced over an 11-year period, from 1827-1838. Today, 120 are known to exist; 107 are in institutions and 13 in private hands. They consist of 435 hand-colored, life-size prints of 497 bird species, made from engraved copper plates based on Audubon's original watercolors.

Another complete first edition of "The Birds of America" sold at Sotheby's in London in December 2010 for $11.5 million, a record for the most expensive printed book sold at auction.

Audubon sold the engraved plates in a subscription series in England, Europe, and North America.

"The overall cost to print a set at the time was estimated to be 115,000 pounds sterling, which would be over $2 million today," said Francis Wahlgren, head of Christie's books and manuscripts.

That is why Audubon "had to presell to wealthy families with subscriptions to fund the production," he added.

"It was a kind of status thing. ... That's why many of these wound up in these great English homes," Wahlgren said.

Because all the birds are portrayed life size, Audubon found creative ways to paint them.

"Many of the large birds are bending down feeding, and they're contorted to fit the page. But he does it in a graceful way, very artistic," like extending a tail feather beyond the margin, said Wahlgren.

No one at that time would have considered that kind of book of ornithology, he said. In the 18th century, "you started moving into engravings but things like scale were not as important."

Audubon brought it truer to life, "furthering it as individual works of art, dealing with backgrounds, settings — the flora and fauna that surrounded the bird. He took the aesthetic of what is a scientific book and raised it to the point of art," Wahlgren said.

"It stands among the greatest color-plate books," he added.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

R.A.D. is back dudes and dudettes!

Aaron — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:34:49 +0000

The Roswell Art Walk Returns

After a 5 year hiatus, the fine art galleries of Roswell invite Atlanta to "Rediscover R.A.D." (the Roswell Art District) along the famed Canton Street as they host a citywide Art Walk on Saturday, October 22nd from 4pm - 8pm, and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm. Billed as "back and better than ever", the participating galleries are all located within strolling distance from each other. There will be five fabulous art parties hosted within each gallery, identified with purple and yellow balloons: The Ford Smith Gallery, Ann Jackson Gallery, Taylor Kinzel Gallery, Lola Fine Art & Gifts and Galerie Matilda.

The Roswell Art District (RAD) is identified as the fine art purveyors of notable local artists and national artists of acclaim, talent and integrity. These five galleries will join forces to provide a strolling tour of magnificent new exhibits, artist receptions, art prizes, music, tastings from area restaurants, refreshing libations and more. All of Atlanta is invited to discover the heart of the historic Roswell district and appreciate five of Atlanta's finest art galleries right there, nestled among the many fashionable restaurants and boutiques.

Call 770-552-5942, email info@fordsmithfineart.com for more information or visit the websites: www.fordsmithfineart.com, www.annjacksongallery.com, www.taylorkinzelgallery.com

Thursday Thursday Thursday

Aaron — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:39:43 +0000

This Thursday Sept. 15th is Alive After 5 on Canton Street. If you've never been to an AA5 event, this one should be a good one. With the cool temperatures, the crowds are likely to swell. AA5 is the largest street party OTP (outside of the perimeter) with live music, food, art, and all sorts of fun stuff happening.

more info here: ALIVE AFTER 5

Fall Hours

Aaron — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:45:10 +0000

We have new hours starting today Sunday, September 11, 2011.

Monday through Saturday, 11am to 5pm

Sunday, 1pm to 4pm

Starting Your Art Collection

Aaron — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:53:24 +0000

Collecting art can be a daunting and confusing challenge for the beginner or even a seasoned collector. Few things are as difficult as choosing the art to surround your life with. Art has the ability to enrich our lives. It can conjure memories of the past, give us insight to the human condition and transport us to places far beyond the walls of our homes. In starting a collection you should decide what you would like to collect. This can be as broad as a regional area such as southern artists or it can be very narrow and specific like the Faultless Starch / Bon Ami Company’s collection of paintings depicting farm animals and pets – mostly chickens. For beginning collectors I would suggest staying clear of anything from the Renaissance and the Hellenistic periods, as well as the old masters. These can challenge even highly seasoned collectors. As you build your collection and your connoisseurship, you will find your taste changing and your eye more discerning, demanding ever higher quality in your art selections. Where to start?

Exhibition Announcement Revealed!

Aaron — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:17:27 +0000

The Art of Dr. Seuss announces the opening of There’s Fun to Be Done! Dr. Seuss & The Art of Invention, opening this Fall at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI).

Don’t miss your chance to be included in Chase Art Companies October 13-15 event; A Night At The Museum, an exclusive and fun-filled adventure across Chicago, culminating in a private sneak-preview of MSI’s exhibition celebrating the life, art and creative genius of Theodor Seuss Geisel.

Reservations are now being accepted through authorized Dr. Seuss galleries.

For details, please visit: http://www.drseussart.com/museumnight/

Click here to download the reservation form, to be completed and submitted by the gallery to Chase Art Companies.

Make plans now as space is extremely limited and we expect this event to sell out!

Dr. Seuss Event

Aaron — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:34:11 +0000

It Won't Be A Secret For Long!
SAVE THE DATE: October 14-15, 2011!

Stay tuned for the official announcement of a major exhibition and a one-of-a-kind Chicago event experience for Seuss patrons

Summer Art Supply Drive

Aaron — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:46:27 +0000

TCP and T he Addo Foundation present a citywide Summer Art Supply Drive

Continuing throughout the summer local businesses and galleries will be uniting through a common cause to raise art supplies for TCP's Community Arts Program (CAP) outreach initiatives. CAP's focus is on mentoring "at-risk" youth through the arts. CAP's upcoming outreach will target programs that may not have arts education, and that struggle with resources.

Our 2011-2012 outreach will benefit the youth artists of One Love Generation, Jacob's Ladder, and the Georgia Justice Project

MAKE A DIFFERENCE, GET INVOLVED

2011 Art Supply Wish List - 2D Media

DRAWING: graphite pencils, charcoal, pastels, india ink, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, carbon paper, tracing paper, blank sketchbooks, markers/sharpies, and all types of drawing paper: newsprint, bristol, etc.

PAINTING: paints: acrylic and watercolor (tubes & pans), various sized brushes, all types of canvas: boards, stretched, unstretched, watercolor paper, paper tape, palettes, sponges, & mural supplies: paint rollers & trays, drop cloths, & large brushes

PRINTMAKING: waterbased inks, plexiglass, spray bottles, linoleum blocks, linoleum cutters, x-acto knives and blades, brayers, wooden spoons, silkscreens, photo emulsion, and squeegees

PHOTOGRAPHY: 35mm cameras, 35mm film (b&w,color) digital cameras, camera bags, digital photo printer, flatbed scanner with film holder

MISCELLANEOUS: construction paper, glue (sticks, rubber cement, elmer's, etc...), scissors, rulers, matt board, matt cutter and blades, tape (scotch, masking, painters), drawing boards, horses & easels.
DROP OFF NEW and USED ART SUPPLIES to benefit YOUNG ARTISTS IN NEED!!!

We are proud to be a Art Supply drop off site. If you would like to donate please stop by the gallery with your art supply donations.

Kanayo Ede - Pushing Clouds

Aaron — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:20:07 +0000

Despite the rain last Thursday evening we a great turn out for Alive After 5 and the preview of Kanayo Ede's show Pushing Clouds.
Firday evening's opening reception and the unveiling of the Historic Canton Street painting by Kanayo was also a smashing success. Thank you to everyone that made it out to the show.

PS. the Canton Street painting may soon become a print!

Kanayo Ede - Historic Canton Street, Roswell GA
See Event Photos Here

Event Photos from SNAP Roswell

Historic Canton Street Artist Series

Aaron — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:40:31 +0000

Gallery artist Kanayo Ede will kick off our Historic Canton Street Artist Series on July 22nd. We are asking several of our gallery artist to interpret Canton Street.