Freeman’s to Present Old Masters & 19th Century European Art in New York on November 10

Freeman’s will present its Old Masters & 19th Century European Art auction live in New York on Tuesday, November 10. The sale brings together paintings, drawings, and sculpture from the Renaissance through the late 19th century. It includes important works from the collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II, as well as Property Sold to Benefit King University, Bristol, Tennessee, a distinguished selection of 18th- and 19th century British and Continental works deaccessioned by the university.

“Freeman’s Old Master & 19th Century European Works of Art auction offers seasoned and novice collectors the opportunity to look beyond short-term trends and engage with paintings, drawings, and sculpture whose appeal rests on artistic quality and historical significance,” said Jelena James, Senior Specialist, Head of Sale, 19th Century European and Old Master Paintings. “This auction brings together a particularly engaging range of material, from Renaissance and Baroque paintings of sacred and profane subjects to 18th-century portraits and late 19th-century urban scenes and landscapes. We are especially pleased to offer important works from the collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II, whose discerning eye and appreciation for European art are reflected in the quality and diversity of the paintings assembled. A distinguished selection of 18th - and 19th -century British and Continental works deaccessioned from King University in Bristol, Tennessee, includes two notable paintings by the Orientalist artists Felix Ziem and Federico Bertollini.”

A Poetic Musician from the Collection of Ambassador Middendorf

Leading the sale is Johann Liss’s Lute Player (Lot 40, estimate: $60,000–$80,000), from the collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II. Probably painted in Venice in the early 1620s, the nearly life-sized canvas shows a shadowed musician against a softly rendered blue sky. He leans on a stone balustrade, gaze lowered as he tunes his instrument, a faint smile on his full-cheeked face. A plumed, wide-brimmed hat shades his dark hair, and the saturated red of his cloak contrasts with the luminous white of his blouse. Through fluid brushwork and a sophisticated interplay of light, color, and tone, Liss gives the figure a striking sense of immediacy.

The poetic musician originated in the Venetian tradition associated with Giorgione and his circle, and was later taken up by followers of Caravaggio, including Bartolomeo Manfredi, Nicolas Tournier, and Valentin de Boulogne. Liss’s painting bears a close affinity to Manfredi’s Lute Player in its conception, composition, and handling of light. Its subject and style retain a distinctly Northern character, recalling the scenes of conviviality Liss would have encountered during his formative years in the Netherlands.

Additional Middendorf Collection Highlights:

• Lot 43 | Johannes Natus (Dutch, active 1658-1662), A Tavern Scene with Peasants Smoking and Drinking, 1661 (Est. $25,000 - $35,000)
• Lot 54 | Jan van der Heyden | Adriaen van de Velde (Dutch, 1737-1712) | (Dutch, 1636-1672), A River Landscape with a Fortified Castle and a Bridge (Est. $20,000 - $30,000)
• Lot 5 | Master of the Little Cologne Passion (German, 15th Century) | Christ on the Cross (The Crucifixion) (Est. $25,000 - $35,000)
• Lot 8 | Tuscan School, 14th century, Saint Anthony Abbot and Saint Paul the Hermit (Est. $20,000-$30,000)

Property Sold to Benefit King University, Bristol, Tennessee

Freeman’s will offer a selection of 18th- and 19th-century British and Continental works deaccessioned from King University, with proceeds benefiting the university. The group includes two notable Orientalist paintings by Félix Ziem and Federico Bertollini.

Among the highlights is Ziem’s Street in North Africa (Lot 134, estimate: $25,000–$40,000). Ziem trained as an architect in Dijon before opening a studio in Marseille in 1840, and began a lifetime of restless travel that took him to Italy, Constantinople, Russia, London, and the Middle East and North Africa. Rather than practicing the realism of many of his contemporaries, Ziem favored a brilliant palette and sought to capture a place's poetic essence. Here a crowd bartering over produce fills a narrow lane. The shadowed walls glow near their roofs, and a mosque spire is bathed in pearly pink-white light.

“This remarkable art collection reflects the generosity, vision, and commitment to higher education that has helped shape our university. We are deeply appreciative of its place in our institutional history and the opportunity to honor that legacy while looking toward the future,” said King University President Andy Tooley. “After thoughtful consideration, we determined that the sale of these works of art would allow us to translate this generosity into meaningful support for the university’s mission and its continued advancement. We are pleased to partner with Freeman’s, who will handle the collection with care and oversee its transition to new owners. The proceeds will be directed toward priorities that support the continued growth of our institution and create meaningful opportunities for our students.”

“The proceeds from the sale will support King University’s broader institutional goals of enhancing educational opportunities, advancing academic excellence, and enriching the student experience,” President Tooley continued. “Consistent with King’s mission, these funds will be reinvested in the university’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence and the continued advancement of higher education. Through this sale, we have an opportunity to honor the legacy of this gift by investing in King University’s future and the students it serves.”

Additional Auction Highlights

Dirck van Delen’s Portico of a Palace (Lot 69, estimate: $20,000–$30,000) shows the Dutch painter’s mature style, in which pink, white, and black marble, lavish sculptural reliefs, and richly ornamented architecture reflect the growing influence of the Antwerp Baroque. His meticulous attention extends to subtle details such as cracks in the marble flooring and arches. The animated figures that give the scene its scale were likely painted by another hand, as van Delen often collaborated with specialist figure painters. His elaborate signature and the date appear on the ornamented transom at right, integrated into the architecture as a decorative feature.

Auction Details
Freeman’s Old Masters & 19th Century European Art will take place live in New York on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, with bidding available in the salesroom, by phone, and online. For more information, please visit freemansauction.com.

Preview Times
32 East 67th Street, New York

November 2nd - 6th, 10 AM – 5 PM
November 7th, 11 AM – 5 PM
November 8th, By Appointment
November 9th, 10 AM – 5 PM

About Freeman’s

Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 16 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.