Jackson’s Indiana Art Auction Results & Prices June 4th, 2015

T. C. Steele Painting Sells at Auction for $22,500

T. C. Steele Painting
$22,500

The June 4th, 2015 art auction hosted by Jackson Auction and Real Estate Company in Indianapolis included a very nice selection of Hoosier Group artwork and other well known Indiana artists totaling 154 pieces of art being offered for sale. The first painting of the day was by Theodore Clement Steele (1847 to 1926) with the estate stamp verso. Although not titled by the artist anyone who has visited the T.C. Steele State Historic Site and toured the home would recognize the fireplace and books in the living room. If you are interested in Indiana art and Steele, who was one of the most well known Indiana artists of the time, the historic site is well worth the visit. The tour of the studio and house provide the opportunity to view many paintings from his time in Munich and more impressionistic works. The oil painting that sold measured 18x22 and sold for $22,500.

Born July 7, 1914, Ruth Bernice Anderson attended the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, studying under Clifton Wheeler. She was a self-employed artist and taught at Short Ridge High School and the Indianapolis Arts League. Offered for sale was her 1973 Hoosier Salon entry titled "Sanctuary," which won an award.  The 20x16 oil painting was signed lower right and obtained a final bid of $10,000, reaching the top end of the $5,000 to $10,00 auction estimate.

Ada Shulz (1870 to 1928) was well known for her paintings of children in and around Nashville, Indiana, and sell very well due to being a favorite of collectors. Jackson had two of her paintings of children for sale. Reaching a high bid of $12,000, the small 14x11, oil on board, and signed lower left reached the midpoint of the $10,000 to $15,000 auction estimate.

Born in Richmond, Indiana, Edgar Forkner (1867 to 1945) received his training at the Art Student League in New York City. A member of the well-known Richmond group of artists, Edgar worked with John Elwood Bundy (1853 to 1933) and other artists to establish the association.  Although he eventually left Richmond Indiana, he kept ties to Indiana by exhibiting for more than twenty years at the Hoosier Salon, winning many awards.  Two watercolors went to the high bidder for $250 each. The first painting measured 21x17.5 and was still the life of Zinnias in a vase, it was signed lower right.  The other was a Harbor scene, likely Seattle since Edger eventually moved there and became a member of the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters. The painting measured 14x18 and was signed in the lower left.

Margaret Rudisill (1857-1933) was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, and showed interest in art at the age of five. Educated at the Academy of Ladoga and at the Glendale Seminary in Ohio. She studied art first with the early Indiana artist Jacob Cox and later at the Julien Academy in Paris. The first recognition of her work was by Carl H. Lieber when she exhibited her work at the Propylaeum in Indianapolis. She won a silver medal at the Indiana state fair. She also won high recognition for her work at the Paris Salon in Chicago and at the St Louis Exposition.  The three paintings offered for sale were representative of the subject matter she was known for, landscapes and figure painting. An 11x14 oil on board village scene with barn and figure was signed lower right and reached a final bid of $500. A painting depicting a woman feeding chickens was not signed but had authentication verso and brought $200. It measured 16x20 and was oil on board. The last painting was also authenticated verso but was larger at 26x22, oil on board, with a scene of a woman gathering wood. It sold for $300.

Additional Sales of the Day

Fredrick W. Rigley, 11x14, O/C, SLL, "Quiet Street" sold for $5,500
Otto Stark, 12x19.5, WC, SLR, Sunset Landscape, sold for $650
Randolph Coats, 25x30, O/C, SLR "Retired Rum Runner (1920)" sold for $2,000
Helen Goodwin, 18x22, O/C, SLR, "The Artist Garden" sold for $900
Ida Gordon, 20x24, O/C, SLR, Floral Still Life sold for $600