FAQ: Marjorie Merriweather Post Portrait Auction at Sotheby's
Summary
A rare 1907 portrait of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post by Sir James Jebusa Shannon sold for $35,560 at Sotheby's, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate and highlighting the enduring appeal of early twentieth-century portraiture tied to historical figures.
What was sold at the Sotheby’s auction and for how much?
A rare early portrait of Marjorie Merriweather Post painted in 1907 by Sir James Jebusa Shannon sold for $35,560, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $10,000 to $15,000.
Who painted the portrait and why is the artist significant?
The portrait was painted by Sir James Jebusa Shannon, a celebrated British artist who was one of the foremost society portraitists of the Edwardian era, a Royal Academician, and had early commissions from Queen Victoria.
How old was Marjorie Merriweather Post when this portrait was painted?
The portrait captures Post at age twenty, decades before she became a defining figure of American high society and a leading collector of Russian art.
What are the dimensions of the painting and its frame?
The painting measures roughly 56 by 45 inches and is framed in a carved Carrig-Rohane frame at 66 by 54½ inches, dated 1907.
What was the previous history of this portrait before the Sotheby’s sale?
The portrait’s provenance traces to R. Thornton Wilson, with a prior sale at Christie’s New York in 1992 where it appeared under the title ‘Portrait of a Lady.’
Why is this portrait historically significant?
The painting captures both artist and sitter at a moment when they were ascending their respective social and professional trajectories, reflecting the genteel optimism of the Edwardian age before World War I.
When and where did the auction take place?
The auction took place at Sotheby’s on October 15, though the specific year is not mentioned in the content.
What does the sale price indicate about the art market?
The price reflects a renewed appetite for early twentieth-century portraiture tied to figures of historical prominence and enduring social allure.
Who was Marjorie Merriweather Post and where did her fortune come from?
Marjorie Merriweather Post was an American heiress and philanthropist whose fortune derived from the General Foods Corporation empire built by her father, cereal magnate C.W. Post.
Was the buyer of the portrait disclosed?
No, Sotheby’s did not disclose the buyer’s identity according to the content provided.
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