Rare Howie Doolittle Paintings, Fine Art From John Pierce Barnes and Zao Wou-Ki at Alex Cooper Auctioneers

Leading this sale from Alex Cooper Auctioneers is a selection of paintings from an emerging artist whose life was cut tragically short. A Baltimore-based painter and a graduate of North Texas State University, Howie Doolittle was a rising star in the 1960s art world. He enjoyed several exhibitions and demonstrated an awareness of social issues that was ahead of his time. Doolittle died while serving in the Vietnam War at the age of 26. This summer, Doolittle’s socially insightful paintings were on view at Baltimore’s Hotel Indigo in association with Maryland Art Place before heading to auction. Key lots from Howie Doolittle include Everythang’s Gonna Be All Right and Million $ Parrot. Both mixed media works use printed photographs, scraps of newspaper, and expressionistic paint strokes to delivery commentary on American society.

Other notable works in this auction include two bright paintings from Pennyslvania Impressionist John Pierce Barnes. The artist worked at the heart of the Pennsylvania Impressionism movement, often drawing inspiration from parallel efforts in France and Belgium. One of the available Barnes paintings is a movement-filled depiction of a man in a blue jacket. He gazes past the viewer with a serious expression, but the background swirls with joyful color. Beyond fine art, bidders will find a range of Chinese export porcelain items, 20th-century miniature figurines, and American furniture pieces. Find the complete listings and more information by visiting Alex Cooper Auctioneers’ website.