John Moran Auctioneers is pleased to offer 200 works by important California and American artists at their October 21, 2008 auction. Among them will be two works by Hovsep Pushman (1877 – 1966): a nocturne titled “In the Moonlight (lighting the lanterns)” and an exemplary still life titled “Immortality No. 422”. Born in Armenia in 1877, Pushman studied art in Constantinople before immigrating to the United States around 1894. After teaching in Chicago for a time he continued his art studies in Paris, studying under Lefebvre and Robert-Fleury. He also toured Asia, where he became fascinated by Oriental mysticism. This influence would dominate his work for the rest of his career. Settling in NYC in 1919, where he lived until the end of his life, he began to focus less on portraits and figures, turning almost exclusively to Oriental-themed still lifes. His still lifes are allegorical works featuring symbolic objects- typically one or more Oriental idols, ceramic and glass objects such as plates and vases, and delicate sprays of blossoms, all arranged against harmonious backgrounds and bathed in a soft, spiritually evocative light enhanced with deep shadows. Both of the works on offer in October display Pushman’s profound sense of mystery, and ably represent the high technical standards of this acclaimed artist.

Other highlights of the October auction include works by Paul De Longpre, Granville Redmond, Birger Sandzen, Franz Bischoff, Jessie Arms Botke, Jack Wilkinson Smith, William F. Jackson, Arthur Hill Gilbert, Maurice Braun, Elmer Wachtel, Anna Hills, Ransome Holdredge, Joe Duncan Gleason, and Hanson Puthuff. John Moran holds the current record high price for a work by McCloskey, achieved at their February, 2008 auction.

Previously featured art from the completed John Moran Auctioneers California and American Fine Art Sale.  Completed October 21, 2008.

Primavera by Joe Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) 24" x 20", Oil/Canvas Est.: $30,000 - $40,000

Poppies and lupine in a Califronia landscape by Granville Redmond (1871-1935) 5.25" x 7.25", Oil/Board Est.: $20,000 - $30,000

Sortie by Grigory Gluckmann (1898-1973) 16.50" x 11", Oil/Board Est.: $20,000 - $30,000

Sunset in a tonalist landscape by Dwight William Tryon (1849-1925) 17.5" x 25.5", Oil/Canvas Est.: $3,000 - $5,000

Gently Rolls the Surf by Frank W. Cuprien (1871-1948) 24" x 30", Oil/Canvas Est.: $30,000 - $40,000

Garden of the Gods, CO by Birger Sandzen (1871-1954) 10" x 14.25", Oil/Canvas Est.: $20,000 - $30,000

In the Moonlight (lighting the lanterns) by Hovsep Pushman (1883-1966) 32" x 25.50", Oil/Canvas Est.: $40,000 - $60,000

Still life with roses by Paul De Longpre (1855-1911) 37" x 28.75", Oil/canvas laid to masonite Est.: $20,000 - $30,000

Morning at Morro by Phil Dike (1906-1990) 24" x 48", Oil/Canvas Est.: $25,000 - $35,000