Throughout 2021 and the first part of 2022, the Santa Fe Art Auction experienced strong sales and continued growth. The response from bidders was so powerful, they were emboldened to add a brand new sale, the Signature Summer Sale on June 24 and 25 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

“We had such a strong season last year despite the pandemic, and we’ve been looking for ways to connect with international visitors who come to Santa Fe in late June and stay throughout the summer,” says Gillian Blitch, president and CEO of Santa Fe Art Auction. “We decided another signature sale, this one in the summer, would be perfect to reach out to this very active collector demographic.”Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), Doorway to the Ethereal Worlds, 1959, oil on canvas, 32 x 36” Estimate: $30/50,000

The highly anticipated summer sale will feature the expansive collection of Georgia and Charles Loloma. “After Charles passed away in 1991, Georgia continued to live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, steadily pursuing their love of collecting,” Blitch explains. “When Georgia passed away this past Christmas, the auction house was asked to represent the couple’s entire art collection, including Georgia’s personal jewelry collection.”Billy Schenck, Leaving the Mancos Valley, 1986, oil on canvas, 38 5/8 x 52 3/8” Estimate: $15/25,000

Charles Loloma (1921-1992), Gold and Double Turquoise Ring Estimate: By Request

The collection includes around 250 katsinas, many by the esteemed katsina carver Manfred Susunkewa, along with original pieces by David Bradley, Fritz Scholder, Allan Houser, Roxanne Swentzell and her daughter, Rose B. Simpson, to name just a few. Collectors will also find original drawings and ceramics by Charles Loloma, as well as his iconic jewelry designs.Shonto Begay (Diné [Navajo]), Days of Hard Lines II, 2005, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 30” Estimate: By Request

Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), The Treasure, 1950, oil on canvas, 36 x 48” Estimate: $50/75,000

“Charles Loloma was the most legendary Native jeweler of the 20th century and revolutionized the concept of Native American jewelry,” says Blitch. “Charles and Georgia were also passionate and thoughtful collectors who really understood not just Native art, but form and color, and the American craft movement.”Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), Man the Unknown, 1961, oil on canvas, 48 x 32” Estimate: $100/200,000

Charles Loloma (1921-1991), Avachhoya Kachina, colored pencil on paper, 14½ x 9½” Estimate: By Request

Works by Loloma in the sale are his colored pencil Avachhoya Kachina, featuring a “corn” katsina in full regalia, and an Untitled work, depicting colorful, geometric designs. Loloma was often inspired and uplifted by his background and Hopi heritage, always maintaining a reverence and deep appreciation. His one-of-a-kind jewelry, like his gold and double turquoise ring and his gold and opal ring (estimates on request), will also be represented in the sale. Both rings illustrate Loloma’s expertise and affinity for jewelry creation, making them quite a rare find and significant lots.

Some of the highest estimates in the sale come from three paintings by Emil Bisttram. Man the Unknown, estimated between $100,000 and $200,000, “is dated from 1961 and graces the cover of Walt Wiggins’ book on Bisttram titled The Transcendental Art of Emil Bisttram,” Blitch says. “The other two paintings also appear in Wiggins’ book, including Doorway to the Ethereal Worlds (est. $30/50,000), dated 1959.” Gustave Baumann (1881-1971), Mountain Gold, 1926, color woodcut, 10½ x 12” Estimate: $10/15,000

Gustave Baumann (1881-1971), Church Ranchos de Taos, 1919, color woodcut, 105/8 x 11¾” Estimate: $10/15,000

Blitch also notes that the June sale will include work from some of the major New Mexico art groups such as the Taos Art Colony, the Los Cinco Pintores and the Transcendental Painting Group, which counted Bisttram as a member. The paintings featured in the sale reflect the artists’ experimentation with spirituality, philosophy and scientific traditions, and embody abstract and divine elements. 

Another artist whose work will appear in the sale is Gustave Baumann, the famous painter and printmaker who was recently featured in a dedicated sale by Santa Fe Art Auction earlier in 2022. Works by Baumann, who used wood-cut blocks to create his prints, include Mountain Gold and Church Ranchos de Taos, both estimated at $10,000 to $15,000.Harry Fonseca (1946-2006), Pow Wow Club, 1980, acrylic, glitter, and reflective paper on canvas, 48 x 36” Estimate: By Request

Charles Loloma (1921-1992), Untitled, colored pencil on paper, 11¼ x 15” Estimate: By Request

Additional works to watch for include Shonto Begay’s acrylic pieces Untitled (Too Much Light), 2007, and Days of Hard Lines II, 2005; Harry Fonseca’s mixed media Pow Wow Club, 1980; Swentzell’s Untitled (Figure with Cola); and a blackware seed pot by Maria Martinez. Estimates for all are by request.Maria Martinez (1887-1980), Blackware Seed Pot, fired clay, 6 x 7” Estimate: By Request

Roxanne Swentzell, Untitled (Figure with Cola), fired clay, glazes, pigment, 22½ x 11 x 16” Estimate: By Request

“This collection is epic in scope and quality,” says Blitch, “and we are just thrilled to be bringing it to the auction house. This sale will be live and we look forward to having collectors from around the country join us for this once-in-a-lifetime offering.” —

Santa Fe Art Auction’s Signature Summer Sale
June 24-25, 2022
Santa Fe Art Auction, 932 Railfan Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 954-5858, www.santafeartauction.com 

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