ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

ORSON BYRON LOWELL

Born in Iowa in 1871, Orson Byron Lowell was the son of well known landscapist Milton H. Lowell. As an adult, Lowell developed his own reputation which was entirely different from his father's. The artist worked primarily as an illustrator and was known for his pen and ink drawings. By 1907 he was working for Life (a humor magazine at that time) and he gained a reputation as a cartoonist with a social message. For the rest of his career Lowell illustrated for magazines includeing Life, Judge and Punch, and The American Girl. He also created many drawings for illustrated novels.

On June 23, Winter Associates of Plainville, Conneticut will be auctioning a gouache on paper by Orson Byron Lowell(above). This piece, which depicts a bearded man sitting by a fireplace and resting his arm on a table is a good representation of grisaille (monchromatic painting, especially in shades gray which is a 2-dimensional technique used to depict relief sculpture) The estimate for this auction is $300-$500. You can bid online here. Comparables of past sales are below.

From Left to Right (All by Orson Byron Lowell)
1.
Title: TWO MEN IN STUDY
12" x 13"
Watercolor/BoardSigned Lower LeftLot: 66217
Auction House: Heritage Auction Galleries
Estimate:$400-$500
Sales Price: $299
06/05/2008
2.

Title: LINE UP OF WOMEN READING NOVELS
8" x 20"
Ink/BoardSigned Lower RightLot: 66218
Auction House: Heritage Auction Galleries
Estimate: $500-$600
Sales Price: $538
06/05/2008
3.
Title: SO SORRY, HAVE MADE MISTAKE
17" x 12"
Ink/PaperSignedLot: 66220
Auction House: Heritage Auction Galleries
Estimate: $300-$500
Sales Price: $418
06/05/2008