November Sales - La Gazette Drouot

On November 17, La Gazette Drouot auctioned six untitled Beauford Delaney oils and gouaches on paper from the collection of Beauford' friend and supporter, art critic Jean Grenier.

Untitled
Lot 57
(1962) Gouache on paper
Signed and dated "March 1962" lower right.
74.5 x 53 cm.; 29.3 x 20.9 in
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

Untitled
Lot 62
(1963) Oil on canvas
Signed, located "Paris," and dated on the back
41 x 33 cm.; 16.1 x 12.9 in
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

Untitled
Lot 63
(1963) Oil on canvas
Signed, located "Paris," and dated on the back
41 x 33 cm.; 16.1 x 12.9 in
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

Untitled
Lot 64
(1964) Gouache on paper
Signed, located "Paris," and dated on the lower right.
66 x 50 cm.; 25.9 x 19.7 in
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

Untitled
Lot 65
(1964) Oil on canvas
Signed, located "Paris," and dated on the back
41 x 33 cm.; 16.1 x 12.9 in
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

Untitled
Lot 67
(1965) Oil on canvas
Signed, located "Paris," dated, and dedicated
"Pour mon ami mr Jean Grenier..." on the back
41 x 27 cm.; 16.1 x 10.6 in
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

According to biographer David A. Leeming, Beauford's friend, M. Bioud, introduced Beauford to Jean Grenier in 1962.  In Amazing Grace: A Life of Beauford Delaney, Leeming states that Grenier wrote a "glowing article" about Beauford that was published in the June (1962) issue of Preuves.

All auctioned works are dated 1962 to 1965, the beginning of Beauford's life in the studio at rue Vercingétorix.  These years were quite productive, and Beauford's work was displayed in multiple group shows in France, the U.S., and Denmark.  His one-man show at the Galerie Lambert was held in 1964.

Sale prices for the works were as follows:

Lot 57:  Estimated: 5,000€ - 7,000€; Sale - did not sell
Lot 62:  Estimated: 10,000€ - 15,000€; Sale - 9,000€ (hammer price - no fees included)
Lot 63:  Estimated:40,000€ - 60,000€; Sale - 36,000€ (hammer price - no fees included)
Lot 64:  Estimated:6,000€ - 8,000€; Sale - did not sell
Lot 65:  Estimated:40,000€ - 60,000€; Sale - 36,000€ (hammer price - no fees included)
Lot 67:  Estimated:30,000€ - 50,000€; Sale - did not sell

A seventh work on paper was attributed to Beauford.

Untitled
Lot 66
(not dated) Gouache on paper pasted in border on cardboard
66 x 47 cm.; 25.9 x 18.5 in
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

Its estimated sale price was 1,000€ - 1,500€.

It did not sell.