Fine Art by Félix Ziem, Milton Avery Available at Sarasota Estate Auction

Sarasota Estate Auction’s upcoming sale offers a wide-ranging catalog of fine art, decorative art, furniture, and more. Among the top lots is an oil on board painting by French artist Félix Ziem. Associated with the Barbizon School of the mid-19th-century, Ziem embraced Realism in his light and airy compositions. He was particularly interested in portside scenes that juxtaposed elegant city buildings with open waterways and boats. That theme is apparent in the available work, which depicts a Venetian canal scene. Several small boats occupy the foreground while buildings cloaked in shadow line the painting’s edges. Ziem often visited Venice from his native France and was inspired by its scenery. Another key fine art lot in the catalog is a beach-themed pastel work by American artist Milton Avery. Beach Loungers features two figures reclining on the sand beside an ocean. Curves dominate the scene, from the artist’s swirling use of pastels to the domed tops of several beach umbrellas. 

Several jewelry lots will be on offer in this event, including an 18-karat yellow gold and sapphire floral bracelet. This heavily-cast piece has a satin finish and bears 36 sapphires, arranged in tiny clusters. A Georgian sterling silver flatware set is also available. It includes 78 pieces, each decorated with elaborate scrollwork and engraved details. Rounding out the auction is an early 20th-century Stickley Brothers sideboard, a porcelain plate painting from the circle of Chinese artist Wang Yeting, and a large medieval carved oak sculpture of the Virgin Mary. To browse the complete Important Fine Art, Antiques, Jewelry and Silver Auction and other online auctions, visit Bidsquare. View the latest auction previews on Auction Daily.