Robert Beverley Hale Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1901 - d. 1985

See Artist Details

0 Lots

Sort By:

Categories

    Auction Date

    Seller

    Seller Location

    Price Range

    to
    • ROBERT BEVERLY HALE, American (1901-1985), Untitled (Five Works), India ink on paper, (a,b,c) signed and dated lower right "Robert B...
      Apr. 29, 2021

      ROBERT BEVERLY HALE, American (1901-1985), Untitled (Five Works), India ink on paper, (a,b,c) signed and dated lower right "Robert B...

      Est: $2,000 - $3,000

      ROBERT BEVERLY HALE American (1901-1985) Untitled (Five Works) India ink on paper, (a,b,c) signed and dated lower right "Robert B. Hale '59" (d) signed lower left "Robert B. Hale" (e) unsigned (a) 40 x 30 inches (b,c,d,e) 22 x 29 inches Provenance: Estate of the artist; Private Collection, Massachusetts. Other Notes: Robert Beverly Hale most notably founded the Contemporary American Art Department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1948. He retired from that post in 1966 as curator emeritus. In 1979, an exhibition celebrating works Hale brought to the museum included Edward Hopper, Ivan Albright, Stuart Davis, Josef Albers, Ben Shahn, Burgoyne Diller and Ellsworth Kelly. He introduced Abstract Expressionism to the museum despite considerable opposition from the museum's trustees. Hale graduated from Columbia College in 1923 and continued his studies in Paris at La Sorbonne and in private art academies and studios. In 1937, he studied at the Art Students League in New York and later served as the school's Vice President on the board of control from 1939-1943. At the Art Students League Hale taught drawing and anatomy while also lecturing in drawing at Columbia and anonymously reviewing shows for Art News Magazine. As an abstract expressionist, his works were featured in exhibitions at the Stamford Museum and the Staempfli Gallery in NewYork. He also published poetry in The New Yorker. In a 1960 review of Hale's drawings in Time magazine a critic wrote: "Good drawing has declined tremendously in recent years, because if anyone draws well he is attacked as being sentimental or anecdotal. The result is that many teachers cannot draw well and neither can their pupils. Therefore they are doomed to create what I call geometrical or biological abstractions—Scotch plaid or turkey-dinner paintings." Hale's own drawings look rather like Rorschach tests that the doctor never thought of. Using India ink and a very long brush, Hale sketches in the shadows of ideas. These blotlike shadows have sensitivity and boldness—a happy combination—but what do they signify? Plenty, he says: "In some cases I think I have achieved negative realism. In a few years I think it will be possible to communicate with life on other planets around the sun. I suspect we will learn more about negative realism from the beings on other planets. Negative realism is in the subconscious. New artists must break a hole in the subconscious and go fishing there." In 1948, Metropolitan Museum director Francis Henry Taylor asked Hale to organize the Department of Contemporary American Art. In 1950, Hale was caught in the middle between the "Irascible 18" artists and their protest that the juries were "notoriously hostile to advanced art." Hale defended himself by stating that "certain advanced artists refrained from entering the competition." Hale facilitated the Met's acquisition of Jackson Pollock's monumental poured painting Autumn Rhythm, 1950, despite much resistance from the museum's trustees. He retired as curator emeritus in 1966 and continued teaching at the Art Students League until 1982. Hale's parents collected avant-garde 20th century art. His aunt Ellen Day Hale (1855-1940), uncle Phillip Leslie Hale (1865-1931) and cousin Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) were all artists. Hale died at 84 years old at his home in Newburyport, Massachusetts, he was also a resident of Hydra, Greece.1 1 William R. Greer, "Robert Hale Dies; A Former Curator; Founder of Met's Department of Modern American Art —Celebrated in '79 Show," The New York Times, November 15, 1985. tags: post war, works on paper, Abstract Expressionist, Metropolitan Museum, modern / contemporary

      Shannon's
    • ROBERT BEVERLY HALE, New York/Massachusetts, 1901-1985, Sketch of two pegasi., Graphite on paper, 22" x 16.5". Unframed.
      Oct. 18, 2019

      ROBERT BEVERLY HALE, New York/Massachusetts, 1901-1985, Sketch of two pegasi., Graphite on paper, 22" x 16.5". Unframed.

      Est: $300 - $500

      ROBERT BEVERLY HALE New York/Massachusetts, 1901-1985 Sketch of two pegasi. Signed and dated lower left "Robert B. Hale 1943". Robert Hale was the curator of American paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and an instructor of artistic anatomy at the Art Students League of New York and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Graphite on paper, 22" x 16.5". Unframed.

      Eldred's
    • Robert Beverley Hale (AMERICAN, 1901-1985)
      Jan. 11, 2012

      Robert Beverley Hale (AMERICAN, 1901-1985)

      Est: - $17,500

      Robert Beverley Hale (AMERICAN, 1901-1985) Untitled signed and dated 'Robert B. Hale '60' (lower left) oil on canvas 31½ x 43 in. (77.5 x 109.2 cm.) Painted in 1960.

      Christie's
    • Robert Beverley Hale (AMERICAN, 1901-1985)
      Jan. 10, 2012

      Robert Beverley Hale (AMERICAN, 1901-1985)

      Est: $800 - $1,200

      Robert Beverley Hale (AMERICAN, 1901-1985) Untitled signed and dated 'Robert B. Hale '60' (lower left) oil on canvas 31½ x 43 in. (77.5 x 109.2 cm.) Painted in 1960.

      Christie's
    Lots Per Page:

    Popular Artists

    Devices

    Get Invaluable on Your Phone

    Download the app via text link to get instantly notified if you’re outbid and receive auction reminders so you never miss out!

    Bid On-the-Go!

    Download the Invaluable app and never miss an auction from your iOS or Android device.

    App Store badgeGoogle Play badge
    Invaluable Logo

    As the world's leading online auction marketplace, thousands of auction houses use Invaluable to deepen relationships with millions of clients around the world. Stay connected to the things you love with curated items and auctions sent to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time. View ourPrivacy Policy.

    © 1986-2024 Invaluable, LLC. and participating auction houses. All Rights Reserved.

    TermsSubscription AgreementPrivacy PolicyCopyrightGDPR InfoPrivacy ChoiceYour Privacy ChoicesSite Map