"Shakespeare at Dusk" depicts a statue of the Bard made by John Quincy Adam Ward in New York's Central Park at twilight. The 1935 oil painting is part of a series of New York cityscapes, which also comprises the iconic "Nighthawks".

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In celebration of William Shakespeare’s birthday, we are pleased to announce that Edward Hopper’s ‘Shakespeare at Dusk’ will highlight our American Art Auction on 21 May in #NYC. Painted in 1935, the work depicts the famous #Shakespeare statue located at the southern end of the Mall in #CentralPark and belongs to Hopper’s celebrated series of New York cityscapes— a subject matter the artist explored early in his career. A lifelong lover of poetry and prose, ‘Shakespeare at Dusk’ is among the only major works in Hopper’s career that overtly references the profound influence of literature on his emotional response to specific times of day, particularly the evening. Visit the statue at twilight in Central Park to see the same tranquil skyline depicted in the present work, and make plans to view the painting in our public exhibitions beginning 17 May in #NYC #SothebysAmerican #WilliamShakespeare #Shakespeare #SothebysBreakingGround #OTD

A post shared by Sotheby's (@sothebys) on Apr 23, 2019 at 12:18pm PDT

It is estimated to sell for between $5 and $7 million -- a far cry from the artist's auction record of $91.9 million set last November at Christie's for "Chop Suey".

Head of Sotheby's American Art department Kayla Carlsen told the Art Newspaper that a "recalibration of Hopper's market" occurred last year -- making it very likely that "Shakespeare at Dusk" will fetch its pre-sale estimate.

Read also: Christie's tops Sotheby's in monster week for auction sales

"Shakespeare at Dusk" testifies to Hopper's interest in literature and poetry, which is alluded to in most of his paintings. Art historian Gail Levin states that the title is a reference to Shakespeare's famous "Sonnet 73," which describes an autumnal twilight:

"That time of year thou mayst in me behold

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,

Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.

In me thou see'st the twilight of such day

As after sunset fadeth in the west

Which by and by black night doth take away,

Death's second self, that seals up all in rest."

Hopper's "Shakespeare at Dusk" will be offered on May 21 during Sotheby's American Art sale in New York. Other highlights of the auction include Frederic Edwin Church's "Ruins at Baalbek", estimated between $1.0 million and $1.5 million and Milton Avery's "Two Figures on Beach", estimated between $1.2 million and $1.8 million.

Popular

Is Indonesia really ready to embrace dual citizenship?

Tens of thousands seek better lives in Jakarta. But is the city losing its draw?

Elon Musk's Starlink granted licences to operate in Indonesia