For Immediate Release September 22, 2011 Contact: Rebecca Riegelhaupt rriegelhaupt@christies.

com tel +1 212 636 2680

BOLD BOLDINI AND DARING DORE HIGHLIGHT CHRISTIES 19TH CENTURY EUROPEAN ART SALE IN NEW YORK

Giovanni Boldini (Italian, 1842-1931) Portrait of Marthe Rgnier oil on canvas Estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000

Gustave Dore (French, 1832-1883) La famille du saltimbanque: lenfant bless oil on canvas, 1853 Estimate: $50,000-70,000

New York On October 12, Christies New York will offer an extraordinary selection of 19th Century European Art Including Orientalist, Sporting and Maritime Paintings. The sale will present exquisite examples of the classic tradition of Europe as well as the exotic allure of the Orient, and will feature some of the most sought-after artists of the 19th Century including Giovanni Boldini, Jos Benlliure y Gil, Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida, William Adolphe Bouguereau, Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, Frederick Lord Leighton and Montague Dawson. In total, the sale will offer over 100 lots of great quality and beauty. The sales top lot is Giovanni Boldinis exquisite Portrait of Marthe Rgnier, 1905 (estimate: $2-3 million) pictured above left. Painted at the height of the artists career, Marthe Rgnier embodies Parisian chic during the Belle poque. Three years after Boldini executed this tour de force likeness, it was exhibited by its then owner, Michel Manzi, at the newly inaugurated Htel des Modes, which was the brainchild of Manzi and as a meeting point for haute couture and contemporary art was to prove an overnight success. Adding to the drama of this portrait is Boldini's strident plunging perspective, one of the innovative hallmarks of the artist's mature oeuvre. Equally characteristic of Boldini's work is the pulsating pink patchwork of

brushstrokes found in the background and echoing in Madame Rgnier's skin, hair and dress. It is daring compositional elements like these that led cultural icon Gertrude Stein to presciently profess, 'Once time has established values in their correct order, Boldini will be recognized as the greatest painter of the last century.' Christies is honored to include four works from The Property of Mr. Sylvester Stallone within the sale. Among the group is the stunning O Salutaris Hostia (estimate: $30,000-50,000) by George Wolliscroft Rhead pictured left. A painter, etcher, and designer of stained glass and ceramics, Rhead was a central figure of the English Arts and Crafts Movement that arose from the Pre-Raphaelites. Gustave Dores La famille du saltimbanque: l'enfant bless pictured pg. 1 right, is a haunting example of social realism and is among the most important works from the artist to come to the auction market in fifteen years. By combining Romanticism's drama with Realism's social commentary and what would become Symbolism's spiritualism, Dor produced works of startling beauty and raw emotion that are distinctly his own. Being one of Dores most renowned compositions, La famille du saltimbanque: l'enfant bless inspired him to produce an almost identical work twenty years later that now hangs in the Muse d'Art Roger-Quilliot in Clermont-Ferrand. Both the present painting and the later version exemplify Dor's ability to render the contemporary life of the urban poor with both poignant realism and dreamlike fantasy. Also being featured is A Color Sketch for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna is Carried in Procession through the Streets in Florence' (Estimate: $50,000 - 70,000) pictured right, by Frederick Lord Leighton. The artist prepared his picture with immense care, making an elaborate composition drawing followed by a series of detailed studies. The final painting was purchased by Queen Victoria on the advice of Prince Albert, and remains in the Royal Collection today. It is currently on loan to the National Gallery, London. The sale will also include six exhilarating works by Montague Dawson, one of the leading maritime artists of the 20th century. Among these lots are three works from The Property of the Northrop Grumman Corporation, including Taking a Northwester: The Thermopylae (estimate: $180,000-220,000) pictured left, a rare deck scene from the artist, composed as a testament to the fearless men who sailed and crewed the clipper ships.

Additional Highlights Include:

Jose Benlliure y Gil Il Carnevale di Roma oil on canvas Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida Portrait of Carlos Urcola Ibarra with his Daughter, Eulalia oil on canvas Painted in 1914. Estimate: $400,000 - 600,000

Jean Baptiste Camille Corot Nymphes et faunes, oil on canvas Painted in 1870. Estimate: $400,000 - 600,000

Eugen Von Blaas A Pensive Beauty Oil on panel Estimate: $100,000-150,000

William Webb Favorite Hunters of Richard William Penn, 1st Earl Howe (1796-1870), with Gopsall Hall, Leicestershire in the background oil on canvas, 1826 Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000

John Emms Three Hounds and a Terrier in a Barn Interior Oil on Canvas Estimate: $200,000-300,000

Auction: Rockefeller Plaza Galleries Viewing:

Oct 12 Oct 8-11

About Christies Christies, the world's leading art business had global auction and private sales in the first half of 2011 that totaled 2.0 billion/$3.2 billion. In 2010 it achieved global auction and private sales of 3.3 billion/$5.0 billion. Christies is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christies has 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai and Hong Kong. More recently, Christies has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.
*Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyers or selle rs credits.

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