John la Farge Paintings & Artwork for Sale | John la Farge Art Value Price Guide

Feb. 01, 2025
JOHN LA FARGE 'LANDSCAPE' OIL PAINTING ON PANEL
Est: $400 - $600
Attributed to John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) oil painting on wood panel depicting a landscape with waterfall. Signed lower left. Measures 19 1/2" x 16 1/4"/
Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery
Jan. 23, 2025
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910)Waterlily Fairywatercolor on paperimage, 8 ½ x 5 ½
Est: $25,000 - $35,000
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910)Waterlily Fairywatercolor on paperimage, 8 ½ x 5 ½ in. (21.6 x 14 cm.);sheet, 14 ¼ x 11 in. (36.2 x 27.9 cm.)
Christie's
Jan. 23, 2025
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910)Autumn Scattering Leaveswatercolor, gouache and pe
Est: $60,000 - $80,000
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910)Autumn Scattering Leaveswatercolor, gouache and pencil on paper laid down on paperboardimage, 18 ¾ x 13 ¾ in. (47.6 x 34.9 cm.);sheet, 20 ¼ x 15 ½ in. (51.4 x 39.4 cm.)
Christie's
Oct. 26, 2024
AMERICAN STILL LIFE PAINTING BY JOHN LA FARGE
Est: $100 - $150
Mixed media still life painting on paper John La Farge. The artwork depicts a still life with some beets and a decanter on a table. Signed lower right. Matted and framed. John La Farge, 1835 to 1910, was an American artist whose career spanned illustration, murals, interior design, painting, and popular books on his Asian travels and other art related topics. European and American Still Life Oil Paintings, Wall Art, Home Decor, and Collectibles. One of a kind artwork.
Antique Arena Inc
Jun. 15, 2024
Study of St. Paul Preaching, John La Farge.
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910). This watercolor painting is signed "La Farge, 1894". The inscription reads, "Return: John La Farge / 51 West 10th Street (Tenth Street Studio Building, NY)". The finished stained glass window is on display at the Judson Memorial Church in Manhattan. The Brooklyn Museum has a more detailed commission on the same saint. The work is housed in a simple wooden frame with a white mat. There is discoloration upper left and fraying to the sheet's lower margin. The sight area measures 19 1/4" x 12", and the frame measures 27" x 19". In-house shipping is available. Please see our website regarding our in-house shipping procedures.
Direct Auction Galleries, Inc.
May. 12, 2023
Works on Paper, John La Farge
Est: $800 - $1,200
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910), Portraits of Young Women, double sided crayon on paper, stamped one side, signed verso of frame, sight: 4.5"h x 3"w, overall (with frame): 7.5"h x 5.5"w
Clars Auctions
May. 03, 2023
John La Farge American, 1835-1910 Mother and Child
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
John La Farge American, 1835-1910 Mother and Child Oil on canvas 16 x 12 inches Provenance: Spanierman Gallery, LLC, New York Private collection C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Feb. 10, 2023
Attributed to John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Wood Block, circa 1860 Carved
Est: $800 - $1,200
Attributed to John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Wood Block, circa 1860 Carved wood 3-7/8 x 3-1/2 x 0-7/8 inches (10.1 x 8.8 x 2.3 cm) LITERATURE: H. Adams, "John La Farge's Discovery of Japanese Art: A New Perspective on the Origins of Japonisme," The Art Bulletin, Vol. 67, No. 3 September 1985, p. 467, no. 21, illustrated. HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Feb. 10, 2023
Attributed to John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Portrait of Helena de Kay Gild
Est: $700 - $1,000
Attributed to John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Portrait of Helena de Kay Gilder Watercolor and pencil on paper 12-1/4 x 9-3/8 inches (31.1 x 23.8 cm) (sight) HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Jan. 19, 2023
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910) Water-Lilies. Red and Green Pads. Study from Natu
Est: $70,000 - $100,000
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910) Water-Lilies. Red and Green Pads. Study from Nature watercolor and gouache on paper image, 8 x 12 in. (20.3 x 30.5 cm.); sheet, 9 3/4 x 12 in. (24.8 x 30.5 cm.)
Christie's
Dec. 09, 2022
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910) 'MOON OVER CLOUDS' WINDOW, CIRCA 1881 45 1/4 x 31
Est: $50,000 - $70,000
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910) 'MOON OVER CLOUDS' WINDOW, CIRCA 1881 45 1/4 x 31 1/2 in. (114.9 x 80 cm) (sight)
Christie's
Jan. 15, 2022
John La Farge wood engraving
Est: $300 - $400
JOHN LA FARGE WOOD ENGRAVING "The Seal of Silence", illustrated for Enoch Arden, special ed. of Alfred Lord Tennyson's, published by Tichnor and Fields, Boston, 1865, John La Farge (1835-1910, American), framed and glazed, Belknap collection.
Willis Henry Auctions Inc.
Nov. 05, 2021
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Boy Casting Off Hawk, study for Henry Wadswo
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Boy Casting Off Hawk, study for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Skeleton in Armor," circa 1884-85 Watercolor, gouache, and pencil on paper 5-1/4 x 4-3/4 inches (13.3 x 12.1 cm) (sheet) Signed lower left: jho LaFarge Property from the Collection of Robert Aron, Palm Beach, Florida PROVENANCE: Sale: Moore's Art Gallery, New York, March 26-27, 1885, lot 7; Private collection, New Jersey, until 1983; Henry B. Holt, Essex Fells, New Jersey, 1983-86; Stephen M. Lovette, Washington, D.C., 1986-93; William Vareika Fine Arts, Newport, Rhode Island; Private collection, acquired from the above, 1995; By descent to the present owners. EXHIBITED: Moore's Art Gallery, New York, 1885; William Vareika Fine Arts, Newport, Rhode Island, " John La Farge (1835-1910): American Artistic Genius and Renaissance Man," August 28-November 30, 2009. LITERATURE: Moore's Art Gallery, Catalogue of a Collection of Oil and Water Color Paintings, by John La Farge, New York, 1885, pp. 26-7; J. Yarnall, "New Insights on John La Farge and Photography," The American Art Journal, Volume XIX, Number 2, 1987, p. 73, illustrated. HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Jul. 21, 2021
JOHN LA FARGE 1889 WATERCOLOR LANDSCAPE PAINTING
Est: $500 - $1,000
John La Farge (1835 1910) American, Painter and stained glass designer. Best known for his production of stained glass, the glass work in the Trinity Church of Boston and recognized as the primary rival to Louis Comfort Tiffany. His works put him at the forefront of the American Arts and Crafts movement, this watercolor landscape came from the Sokolovsky Collection in Illinois. Signed and dated, 1889, original watercolor on paper. In very good condition with speckled non-distracting foxing along skyline. Dimensions: framed 20x12 inches. This lot has a reserve.
Affiliated Auctions & Realty LLC
Apr. 01, 2020
John La Farge (1835-1910) American Artist Autograph
Est: $50 - $75
John La Farge (1835-1910) American painter, muralist, and writer. He was a pioneer in the study of Japanese art, the influence of which is seen in his work. During his life, La Farge maintained a studio at 51 West 10th Street in Greenwich Village, which now is part of the site of Eugene Lang College at the New School University. Offered here is a 3-3/8 x 2-1/2 in. card signed by La Farge. Ink signed. VG
East Coast Books
Mar. 27, 2020
John La Farge (attrib.), painting
Est: $300 - $500
Attributed to John La Farge (American, 1835-1910), Flowers, oil on canvas, no signature observed, blurred writing on verso, 6.25"h x 6.75"w (sight), 11"h x 11.25"w (frame)
Millea Bros Ltd
Mar. 14, 2020
John La Farge (1835-1910) American Artist Autograph
Est: $50 - $75
John La Farge (1835-1910) American painter, muralist, and writer. He was a pioneer in the study of Japanese art, the influence of which is seen in his work. During his life, La Farge maintained a studio at 51 West 10th Street in Greenwich Village, which now is part of the site of Eugene Lang College at the New School University. Offered here is a 3-3/8 x 2-1/2 in. card signed by La Farge. Ink signed. VG
East Coast Books
Jan. 10, 2020
John La Farge (1835-1910) American Artist Autograph
Est: $50 - $75
John La Farge (1835-1910) American painter, muralist, and writer. He was a pioneer in the study of Japanese art, the influence of which is seen in his work. During his life, La Farge maintained a studio at 51 West 10th Street in Greenwich Village, which now is part of the site of Eugene Lang College at the New School University. Offered here is a 3-3/8 x 2-1/2 in. card signed by La Farge. Ink signed. VG
East Coast Books
Dec. 07, 2019
John La Farge (1835-1910) American Artist Autograph
Est: $50 - $75
John La Farge (1835-1910) American painter, muralist, and writer. He was a pioneer in the study of Japanese art, the influence of which is seen in his work. During his life, La Farge maintained a studio at 51 West 10th Street in Greenwich Village, which now is part of the site of Eugene Lang College at the New School University. Offered here is a 3-3/8 x 2-1/2 in. card signed by La Farge. Ink signed. VG
East Coast Books
Oct. 19, 2019
John La Farge (1835-1910) American Artist Autograph
Est: $50 - $75
John La Farge (1835-1910) American painter, muralist, and writer. He was a pioneer in the study of Japanese art, the influence of which is seen in his work. During his life, La Farge maintained a studio at 51 West 10th Street in Greenwich Village, which now is part of the site of Eugene Lang College at the New School University. Offered here is a 3-3/8 x 2-1/2 in. card signed by La Farge. Ink signed. VG
East Coast Books
Oct. 08, 2019
John LaFarge American, 1835-1910 Swallows/Wreath, circa 1883
Est: $600 - $800
John LaFarge American, 1835-1910 Swallows/Wreath, circa 1883 Stamped John La Farge / 38 East 17th St. Union Square / New York (ur) and inscribed with various composition and color notes on the support card Watercolor and pencil on paper mounted to card 3 1/4 x 1 3/4 inches each Provenance: Thomas Wright, Upper Montclair, New Jersey Private collection, Upper Montclair, New Jersey Charles Hunter, Upper Montclair, New Jersey, by descent from the above by 1918 Zecca Gallery, Montclair, New Jersey, aquired from the above 1973 C The property of Steven Leon
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jun. 19, 2019
JOHN LA FARGE, (AMERICAN 1835-1910), "IN THE GARDEN OF THE GODS, PIKE'S PEAK, COLORADO"
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
JOHN LA FARGE (american 1835-1910) "IN THE GARDEN OF THE GODS, PIKE'S PEAK, COLORADO" Signed and inscribed illegibly 'La Farge, N***' bottom right; also inscribed with artist and location verso, watercolor and charcoal on paper Sheet size: 10 7/8 x 15 3/8 in. (27.6 x 39.1cm) provenance: Collection of Mr. George A. Downer, Needham, Massachusetts (by 1985). Barridoff, Portland, sale of 31 May 1986, lot 97. Acquired directly from the above sale. The Collection of Victor Niederhoffer. NOTE: The present lot will be accompanied by a copy of letter from Henry A. La Farge confirming its authenticity, dated April 15, 1985.
Freeman's | Hindman
Jan. 26, 2019
JOHN LA FARGE (AMERICAN 1835-1910)
Est: $25,000 - $35,000
JOHN LA FARGE (AMERICAN 1835-1910) Samoa, 1891 watercolor on paper 30.2 x 25.2 cm (11 7/8 x 9 7/8 in.) signed lower right, dated and titled on verso
Shapiro Auctions LLC
Nov. 15, 2018
John La Farge, Metropolitan Theatre sketch, 1855
Est: $600 - $800
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910), Portrait of Elisa-Rachel Felix (aka Mademoiselle Rachel) in the title role of Phedre, pencil on paper, image titled "Rachel Phaedra" in pencil, sitting information label verso, matted in cardboard and loose, 5.5"h 3.5"w (sight), 11.5"h x 8"w (mat)
Millea Bros Ltd
Oct. 05, 2018
JOHN LA FARGE | Muli Pai Pai, Samoa
Est: $25,000 - $35,000
signed 'J. La Farge' and titled 'Muli Pai Pai/Samoa' (lower right) watercolor on paper
Sotheby's
May. 24, 2017
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910) The Baptism of Christ (after Nicholas Poussin)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910) The Baptism of Christ (after Nicholas Poussin) watercolor, gouache and pencil on paperboard 10 1/4 x 7 1/2in, image; 14 3/4 x 11 1/8in, sheet Executed circa 1902.
Bonhams
Oct. 27, 2016
JOHN LA FARGE, American (1835-1910), "The Sphinx", gouache and watercolor on paper, initialed and dated "1865" lower right., 4 5/8 x...
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
JOHN LA FARGE American (1835-1910) "The Sphinx" gouache and watercolor on paper, initialed and dated "1865" lower right. 4 5/8 x 6 1/2 inches Provenance: Private Collection, Vermont. Other Notes: Tags: Impressionist / Impressionism
Shannon's
Jun. 07, 2016
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910) A 'MOON OVER CLOUDS' WINDOW, 1881 45 ½ x 31 ¼
Est: $60,000 - $80,000
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910) A 'MOON OVER CLOUDS' WINDOW, 1881 45 ½ x 31 ¼ in. (115.5 x 79.4 cm.) excluding wood frame
Christie's
May. 18, 2016
John La Farge (1835-1910) The Baptism of Christ (after Nicholas Poussin)
Est: $7,000 - $10,000
John La Farge (1835-1910) The Baptism of Christ (after Nicholas Poussin) watercolor, gouache and pencil on paperboard image, 10 1/4 x 7 1/2in; sheet, 14 3/4 x 11 1/8in Executed circa 1902. Provenance The artist. Estate of the above. (probably) Mr. Moritz Bernard Philipp, New York, acquired from the above. Jane Peterson, New York, the artist, by descent from the above, 1929. Donald Witherstein, Boston, Massachusetts, 1947. Victor D. Spark, New York, acquired from the above, 1952. Wilbur Family Collection, Hillsborough, California, probably acquired from the above, after 1968. Gift to the present owner from the above.
Bonhams
Sep. 27, 2015
JOHN LA FARGE, (American, 1835-1910), GIRL WITH THE RING, 1890, watercolor on paper, sight: 11 1/4 x 12 1/2 in., sheet: 12 5/8 x 19...
Est: $20,000 - $40,000
JOHN LA FARGE (American, 1835-1910) GIRL WITH THE RING 1890, watercolor on paper signed La Farge and dated July 1890, l.l. sight: 11 1/4 x 12 1/2 in., sheet: 12 5/8 x 19 3/4 in. (23 3/4 x 36 in.) Provenance: Property of a Gloucester, Massachusetts Lady. Other Notes: Bears Doll & Richards, Boston, Massachusetts label no. 26045, verso; bears Montross Gallery, New York, New York, label, verso; bears label marked 99. Girl With the Ring, verso.
Grogan & Company
Sep. 21, 2015
John La Farge (1835 - 1910) Watercolor
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
A small landscape, initialed at the lower left corner, sticker at the reverse bears the Greenwich Village studio address of the artist.
Locati LLC
Jul. 22, 2015
John La Farge, Metropolitan Museum of Art - Nocturne, Poster
Est: $200 - $300
Artist: John La Farge, American (1835 - 1910) || Title: Metropolitan Museum of Art - Nocturne || Year: 1937 || Medium: Poster || Size: 31.5 in. x 25 in. (80.01 cm x 63.5 cm)
RoGallery
Mar. 14, 2015
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910): CHRIST AND NICODEMUS
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
JOHN LA FARGE (1835-1910): CHRIST AND NICODEMUS Pencil and watercolor on wove paper, 1882, indistinctly inscribed and dated at bottom, with a red inkstamp lower left, with label from William Vareika Fine Arts, Newport, Rhode Island. 11 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. (sheet), 19 1/2 x 13 1/2 in. (frame). Note: This work was a study for Nicodemus Coming to Jesus by Night, the Reverend John Cotton Smith Memorial Window, in the Church of Ascension, New York, 1882. Salander-O'Reilly Galleries Consigned by Trustees
STAIR
May. 21, 2014
John La Farge1835 - 1910
Est: $80,000 - $120,000
signed Jn. La Farge and dated indistinctly (lower right),oil on canvas,18 1/8 by 13 3/4 inches,(46 by 34.9 cm),Painted circa 1883.
Sotheby's
Feb. 26, 2014
John La Farge (1835-1910)
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
John La Farge (1835-1910) >"The Last Arrow of Will of Cloudeslie" <br>signed with conjoined initials and dated 'LF 67' (upper right) >watercolor and pencil on paper <br>9Â¾ x 8 in. (24.8 x 20.3 cm.), image; 13Â½ x 10Â¼ in. (34.3 x 26 cm.), sheet
Christie's
May. 08, 2013
John La Farge American, 1835-1910 Study of Apple Tree, Spring, circa 1861 Inscribed John La Farge/200.0...
Est: $7,000 - $9,000
John La Farge American, 1835-1910 Study of Apple Tree, Spring, circa 1861 Inscribed John La Farge/200.00/Sold large one to/Met Museum/.0032/John la Farge (1870)/from his sale Otto Heinigke in pencil on the reverse Oil on panel 6 x 9 inches Provenance: Sale: Ortgies and Co., New York, Apr. 17, 1884, lot 3 (Important Collection of Oil and Water Color Paintings, by John La Farge of This City, as Study of Appletree) Otto Weir Heinigke Sr., New York (purchased at the above sale) Otto Weir Heinigke Jr., New York (son of the above) Fred Leuchs, New York (acquired from the above, 1957) At the time of its sale at Ortgies and Co., in 1884, the present painting was described as the painting signed and dated 1861. The site depicted is probably Newport. C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
May. 08, 2013
John La Farge American, 1835-1910 Woman in White Reading Signed with artist's initials JLF (lr); inscribed...
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
John La Farge American, 1835-1910 Woman in White Reading Signed with artist's initials JLF (lr); inscribed as titled under the matting (ll) Watercolor on paper Sheet 14 x 6 1/4 inches, image 7 1/8 x 3 3/8 inches Provenance: Mrs. M. Bernard Philip, New York, 1934 Michael M. Engel, New York (before 1969) Exhibited: New York, Moore's Art Gallery, 1887, cat. no. 5 (under the title Woman in white dress, Reading, --Lark background.--Watercolor study. Signed) The present work is discussed in correspondence in 1985 and 1986 between Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. La Farge and Michael Engel, Jr. Woman in White Reading is documented in the draft for a catalogue raisonné of the work of John La Farge that was in preparation by Henry A. La Farge, and that remained unpublished at the time of his death. It is described in the catalogue page as "Possibly a study for the allegorical figure of Sight in the watercolor room of the Cornelius Vanderbilt House," which suggested a potential date to Mr. La Farge of circa 1881. The Henry Adams La Farge papers, which contain research and documentation pertaining to the unpublished catalogue, are included in the collection of the Beinecke Library, Yale University. C Property from the Estate of a Long Island Collector
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Apr. 18, 2013
John La Farge, (American, 1835-1910), A pair of works titled The Wolf Charmer and The Fisherman and the Afrite
Est: $500 - $700
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) A pair of works titled The Wolf Charmer and The Fisherman and the Afrite engravings Larger 6 7/8 x 5 1/2 inches.
Hindman
Jun. 27, 2012
John La Farge, Metropolitan Museum of Art - Nocturne, Poster
Est: $200 - $300
Artist: John La Farge, American (1835 - 1910) | Title: Metropolitan Museum of Art - Nocturne | Year: 1937 | Medium: Poster | Size: 31.5 in. x 25 in. (80.01 cm x 63.5 cm)
RoGallery
Mar. 01, 2012
John La Farge (1835-1910)
Est: $12,000 - $18,000
John La Farge (1835-1910) On a Park Terrace signed with conjoined initials 'LF' (lower right) watercolor and pencil on paper 10½ x 18¾ in. (26.7 x 47.6 cm.) Executed circa 1865.
Christie's
Jan. 19, 2012
Attributed to John La Farge.
Est: $250 - $500
Although signed lower right John La Farge (1835 - 1910), the signature is unlike any i have seen, thus the attribution. Oil on board. Approx. 7 1/2" x 11".
Weiss Auctions
Nov. 30, 2011
John La Farge (1835-1910)
Est: $40,000 - $60,000
John La Farge (1835-1910) Study of the Parrot Fish dated '24 December/1890/Samoa' (lower right) oil on panel 8 x 12 in. (20.3 x 30.5 cm.)
Christie's
Nov. 29, 2011
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Rishi calling up Storm 8 1/4 x 12in
Est: £25,000 - £35,000
Rishi calling up Storm watercolor on paper 8 1/4 x 12in
Bonhams
Jul. 20, 2011
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910)
Est: £5,000 - £8,000
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) The Virgin and St. John the Evangelist at the Foot of the Cross oil on panel, shaped top 95½ x 29½ in. (243 x 75 cm.) Painted in 1862-3 a pair (2)
Christie's
Mar. 03, 2011
John La Farge (1835-1910)
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
John La Farge (1835-1910) Sleep (Study of Female Figure Asleep) signed 'Jno La Farge' (lower left)--signed and inscribed 'Study of a woman asleep./Dressed in Japanese Robe/of green crepe & white satin undergown./John La Farge N.A./51 W-10 st' (on a label affixed to the backing board) watercolor on paper 8 x 6½ in. (20.3 x 16.5 cm.), image; 12¼ x 10¼ in. (31.1 x 26 cm.), sheet Executed circa 1884-85.
Christie's
Feb. 15, 2011
John La Farge (1835-1910 Providence, RI)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Japanese Ceramic Vessel, signed and dated lower right: La Farge 1871, watercolor on paper laid to board under glass. Provenance: Private Collection, Oregon; by descent in the family to the present owner
John Moran Auctioneers
Dec. 18, 2010
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Study for Side Lancets of Facade Windows, Trinity Church, Boston, c. 1880 Unsigned, stamped with La
Est: $1,000 - $1,200
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Study for Side Lancets of Facade Windows, Trinity Church, Boston, c. 1880 Unsigned, stamped with La Farge's personal seal in red l.c., inscribed "Trinity Church/ side windows of W. Side" l.c., numbered "G 2218" on the mount l.c., numbered "116" on a label affixed to the mount. Watercolor and graphite, sheet size 6 11/16 x 2 in., framed. Provenance: Estate of John La Farge, New York, 1910-1911; [sale, American Art Association, New York, 29-31 Mar. 1911 (864)]; purchase, Otto Weir Heinigke Sr., New York, 1911-d. 1915; his son, Otto Weir Heinigke Jr., New York, 1915-1957; purchase, Frederick L. Leuchs, Monterey, MA, 1957-1984; Sean M. McNally, Ridgewood, N.J., private collection, New Jersey. Exhibitions: William Vareika Fine Arts, Newport, John La Farge: An American Master (1835-1910), 14 Jul.-30 Sept. 1989, no. 38 N.B. We wish to thank Dr. James L. Yarnall for his assistance with cataloguing the lot. Between 1880 and 1883, La Farge executed a tall, three-lancet facade window for Trinity Church, Boston. The window consists of a figure of Christ Preaching in the central lancet, with two flanking lancets of architectonic shapes in a Byzantine style. According to Dr. James L. Yarnall, the present work is a study for the side lancets, corresponding closely to the final design of the two side lancets. It was the first folio in a portfolio of drawings purchased by Otto Weir Heinigke Sr. at La Farge's estate sale in 1911.
Skinner
Jul. 21, 2010
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Lot of Two Cliché-verre Glass Drawings for Robert Browning's Men and Women, 1860. Unsigned, one da
Est: $1,500 - $3,000
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Lot of Two Cliché-verre Glass Drawings for Robert Browning's Men and Women, 1860. Unsigned, one dated "1860" l.r. Graphite on frosted glass set between two plates of clear glass within a stained glass composition, sizes to 9 3/4 x 8 in., framed. Condition: Both with cracked frosted glass, one loose in frame. Provenance: Henry Lee Higginson, Boston, until d. 1919; by descent in the Higginson family. Literature: Passing references to both drawings are in three reviews of the 1879 exhibition/auction: "John La Farge's Sale," Boston Evening Transcript, 15 Dec. 1879, p. 4; "The La Farge Paintings," Boston Post, 17 Dec. 1879, p. 3; and "The Fine Arts: Mr. La Farge's Pictures," Boston Daily Advertiser, 18 Dec. 1879, p. 2. Exhibitions: Leonard's Gallery, Boston, The Drawings, Water-Colors, and Oil-Paintings by John La Farge. To be Sold at Auction, 18-19 Dec. [1879], exhibited under the heading "Drawings" as lots 33-3 and 33-6. N.B. The works were included in the late Henry A. La Farge's Catalogue Raisonne of the Works of John La Farge, and we wish to thank Dr. James L. Yarnall for updating and supplementing the information for inclusion in this catalogue entry. See online lot entry for extensive commentary by Dr. Yarnall on the works. There are several different techniques classified as cliché-verre, a French term usually applied to etching on a ground-coated transparent material. In this case, the term applies to drawing on a transparent glass surface and printing the resulting image on light-sensitive paper. La Farge prepared six cliché-verre illustration designs between 1859 to 1861 for a proposed Boston edition of Robert Browning's compilation of poems entitled Men and Women, first published in 1855. The intended publisher of the new edition was Henry Houghton, who late in the process asked La Farge to help underwrite publication costs. La Farge balked at this, discontinuing the plans, but he still produced proofs using six cliché-verre glass drawings that he had prepared before the project faltered. Of the original glass drawings, only one now in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (acc. no. 1966.1.1) had surfaced prior to 2010. La Farge originally sold six cliché-verre glass drawings as lot 33 in his one-man exhibition and auction held in Boston at Leonard's Gallery on December 18-19, 1879. That is where Henry Lee Higginson evidently purchased these two glass drawings, possibly along with others, and also with a number of oil paintings. In the 1879 auction catalogue, La Farge introduced the glass drawings with the note: "These drawings are on glass, and have been framed to hang in windows or against the light. They are the originals of a set of photographs already known to the public. They are all illustrations of Robert Browning's poems and are in several cases designed in the form of decorations." Lot 33 in the auction was in six parts. Part 3 was an illustration for Browning's poem Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came. The poem, inspired by a line in Shakespeare's King Lear, recounts the nightmarish journey of Roland to the Dark Tower, a destination never reached in the poem. The journey takes Roland through a gloomy, evocative landscape filled with obstacles and threats. La Farge's glass drawing illustrated these lines from the poem: "A sudden little river crossed my path/ As unexpected as a serpent comes." Part 6 of lot 33 was an illustration for Browning's poem Fra Lippo Lippi. This dramatic monologue visualized an episode in the life of an actual historical figure: the Florentine monk, Fra Lippo Lippi (1406-1469), who was also a renowned painter. As depicted in the poem, Lippi had a taste for carousing, had been out all night, and was caught by some watchmen for Cosimo de Medici, the artist's patron. While being interrogated, Lippi recounted to the watchmen that his monastic life was one of hardship, forcing him to carry on secret liaisons with women. He also rambled about the relationship between art and religion. La Farge's glass drawing illustrates the lines from the poem that depict the moment of Fra Lippo Lippi's discovery by the watchmen: "I am poor brother Lippo, by your leave!/ You need not clap your torches to my face."
Skinner