The
following description has been prepared entirely by the current owner, Roberts
S. Fastov, Esq., and, at the collector’s request, has not been edited by Sloans
& Kenyon
Note
1) Askart.com provides the following brief Laux bio sketch:
"Born
in the Rhineland area of Germany, August Laux became noted for his richly
colored, precisely rendered floral still lifes and genre scenes, although early
in his career his reputation was for frescoes and decorative painting.
His
parents were French and relatives held high government positions in Strausburg.
A cousin and one of his uncles were sculptors in Paris, and with exposure from
childhood to persons creative in the arts, Laux followed this path. He
emigrated to New York City with his parents in 1863 and began studying
sculpture, but in 1867 switched to painting, enrolling in classes in the
National Academy of Design. He first exhibited there in 1870, and three years
later accepted a commission to paint the scenery for a private club in
Manhattan. This mural received such acclaim that he became much sought after
for frescoes and other decorations in public buildings as well as private homes
of wealthy persons including financiers Jay Gould and Andrew Garvey.
After 1880, he turned to still life and genre painting, which he continued
until his death in Brooklyn in 1921.
His
work is in the Brooklyn Historical Society.
Source:
"300 Years of American Art" by Zellman"
Note 2) The foregoing
considerations, the fact that Laux's "Still life of apples and
grapes" is very realistic and otherwise well-executed; together with its
original period gold frame, is very esthetically appealing to collectors of
late 19th century American still lifes; and the following Laux
auction records all warrant a conclusion that the above presale estimate of
$2,000-$5,000 is reasonable and justifiable
Title/Subject: Fruit and Wine Glass on a Tabletop Signed. Oil on canvas. 10 in.
x 14 in. sold for $3,000 on 4/30/2009 at
Shannon Fine Arts
Auctioneers, Milford, CT
Title/Subject: Still Life of a Basket of Cherries Signed. Oil on canvas. 20 in. x
16 in. sold for $4,800 on 11/28/2007 at Bonhams, NYC
Title/Subject: Raspberries in a Compote Signed. Oil on canvas. 12 in.
x 10 in. sold for $4,780 on
10/26/2006 at Shannon Fine Arts Auctioneers, Milford, CT
Title/Subject: Plums in a Basket Signed. Oil on canvas. 10 in. x 14 in.
sold for $8,500 on 09/09/2006-09/10/2006
at Charlton Hall Galleries, Inc., West Columbia, SC
Title/Subject: Baskets of Peaches
Signed. Oil on canvas. 14 in. x 18 in. sold for $5,378 on 10/20/2005 at Shannon Fine Arts Auctioneers, Milford, CT
Title/Subject: Still Life with Fruit
Signed. Oil on canvas. 16 in. x 20 in.
sold for $5,288 on 4/28/2005 at Shannon Fine Arts Auctioneers, Milford, CT
Title/Subject: Gooseberries on a Ledge Signed. Oil on canvas. 9.70 in. x
13.70 in. sold for $4,113 on
10/23/2003 at Shannon Fine
Arts Auctioneers, Milford, CT
Title/Subject: Still Life with Pineapple, Orange and Nuts Signed. Oil on canvas. 10 in. x
14 in. sold for $4,700 on
4/24/2003 at Shannon Fine
Arts Auctioneers, Milford, CT
Title/Subject: Apples in a Tin Pan Signed. Oil on canvas. 10 in. x
14.10 in. sold for $6,900 on 10/24/2002 at Shannon Fine Arts Auctioneers, Milford, CT
Title/Subject: A Summer Still Life
Signed. Oil on canvas. in. 12 x
16.10 in. sold for $19,550 on 5/21/2002 at Phillips, de Pury & Company, NYC
Title/Subject: Still Life with Blackberries Signed. Oil on canvas. 10.10 in. x 14 in. sold for $4,600 on 4/25/2002 at Shannon Fine Arts Auctioneers, Milford, CT