Elie Nadelman

(American, 1882-1946)

Head of a Man in a Top Hat

bronze

numbered 4/8, stamped with conjoined initials of the Modern Art Foundry MA and stamped with the symbol of the Art Founders Guild, model by 1914, cast 1982-1983

Height: 18 inches.

Property from the Michael Hall Collection, Miami Beach, Florida

Literature:

L. Kirstein, Elie Nadelman, New York, 1973, p. 293, no. 67 (the plaster cast referenced)

The present lot is a posthumous cast produced by the present owner and Lincoln Kirstein, in 1982-83, at Modern Art Foundry, New York. This bronze is one among an edition of eight casts. No known editions of this model were produced in bronze during the artist's lifetime and the present cast was not authorized by the artist's estate.

The plaster from which this work was cast is in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. According to Lincoln Kirstein, this plaster model served as the prototype for the painted brass Man in a Top Hat, circa 1920-24, which is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. (L. Kirstein, Elie Nadelman, New York, 1973, p. 293)

Note:

By all accounts, Michael Hall, actor, collector and art dealer, was a memorable character who led a truly remarkable life. Michael delighted in being outrageous - frequently the life of the party, always with an entertaining repertory of anecdotes and jokes. Michael was also a very serious collector with an inquisitive nature, extremely passionate and opinionated concerning his chosen field of Renaissance and Baroque art, and was always willing to share his vast knowledge.

Michael was mentored by Wilhelm Valentiner, a specialist in Italian Renaissance art and then a consultant to what would become the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Through Valentiner, Hall was introduced to Sir John Pope-Hennessy and Sir Kenneth Clark, and formed friendships with a number of authorities including Rudolf Wittkower, H.W. Janson and Francis Watson.

In 1963, Hall moved to New York, and with William Mills, opened a gallery at 6 East 79th Street. His clients grew to include among others, Charles and Jayne Wrightsman, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Art, Boston, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Detroit Institute of Art.

In later years, Michael and his husband, Thomas divided time between their Florida, New York and Connecticut residences, but never stopped enjoying and collecting decorative arts. Those who knew Michael would agree his passion for collecting knew no bounds.

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Joseph Stanfield

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[email protected]312.280.1212

As the head of Hindman’s Fine Art Department, Mr. Stanfield is instrumental in bringing in major consignments from private collectors, estates, dealers and institutions. He has led the department to dozens of auction records, with a particular focus on Chicago Modernism. Mr. Stanfield has played an integral role in the development of the American & European and Post War & Contemporary Art categories, with the most successful year for the department in company history coming in 2021. He also oversaw a house record for total sales for a week of Fine Art auctions in May 2022. Mr. Stanfield is also the lead auctioneer for the Fine Art sales at Hindman. Prior to returning to Hindman in 2019, he was at Toomey & Co. for eight years, where he oversaw important collections including the estate of Candice B. Groot, the collection of Governor Jim Thompson, and the estate of Robert E. Beck. Mr. Stanfield earned a BA from the University of Kansas where he studied Art History.

Zack Wirsum

SVP, Head of Department, Post War and Contemporary Art

[email protected]312.600.6069

Mr. Wirsum joined the firm in 2007 as a Fine Art registrar and became a department specialist in 2013, with a focus on Post War and Contemporary art. Through his vision, the department has achieved record breaking prices. Mr. Wirsum evaluates and appraises well over 5,000 works of art each year, collaborating with leading international committees and experts on authentication. Prior to joining Freeman's, Mr. Wirsum served as an assistant director and conservator at the Chicago Conservation Center. He received a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is a practicing painter with gallery representation.

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American & European Art

Head of a Man in a Top Hat

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