Good Things Come In Threes

Work on cataloging the Pantages Portfolio continues swimmingly along, with new discoveries happening on a daily basis! Judy is researching this delightful painting, a work by artist Roger San Miguel (b. 1940.) It features a lovely young woman holding a large fish, with two others to her right and left. You can't help but notice her dark and hip-length hair, beautiful face, and feminine form. 

It is possible that San Miguel chose to reference to the holy trinity in this work by including three prominent and oversized fish in the design.  

San Miguel is a popular and well known artist from the Philippines.  He skillfully and authentically captures Filipinos in happy, family, and/or "everyday" situations. Many of his paintings include children. Examples of his work are on display at the Philippines International Convention Center and have also been included in national and international exhibitions over the years.

We Can't Look Away, Part 1

Eye, eye, eye we can't look away! As we work our way through organizing and cataloging the Pantages Portfolio collection, we often come across works that are simply mesmerizing and hold our gaze - sometimes for good reasons, and sometimes for bad ones.

This charcoal and ink on fabric is a perfect example of that. At first, I really did not like this piece, but Judy did. So what exactly is going on here in the piece? Only the artist knew for sure. But, the more we studied it, the more it grew on us, and both of us just can't get enough of it.

Judy sums it up best when she describes this piece as "subtle and strong at the same time." It is by American painter, printmaker, and architect Benton Spruance (1904–1967) who is best known for portraits as well as works with religious or mythological themes. In March, 2018 Swann Auction Galleries sold Spruance's Riders of the Apocalypse for $27,500; it was estimated at $20,000-30,000.

What's A Few Million Amongst Friends?

Good things come in threes with this amazing Pantages Portfolio painting discovered  in the depths of the consignor's basement. It was tucked up against an appliance with laundry soap, and covered in spiders and basement debris. No wonder the clown in the pink hat looks so sad!

This work caught Peter's eye and Judy started to investigate it immediately. The painting is by the German artist Karl Hofer (1878 - 1955) and is marked with this paper label on the back. The piece appears to be named "Masquerade."

The highest price ever paid for one Hofer's works is EIGHTEEN MILLION US DOLLARS. The value of this picture is TBD (but hopefully close to that!) On May 16, 2017, Christies sold a Hofer painting of a bathing Hindi girl; it was estimated at $150,000-200,000 and realized $391,500.