17

EMILY MASON

American, 1932-2019

"Blue Angel", 1995

oil on canvas
signed and dated lower left "Emily Mason 1995"
42 x 32 in. (106.7 x 81.3 cm.), Frame: 43 1/4 x 33 1/2 x 2 in. (109.9 x 85.1 x 5.1 cm.)

  • Provenance: Christie's, New York, New York, April 21, 2023, lot 190; MB Modern, New York, New York; Private Collection, acquired from the above, 1997; Hindman, Chicago, Illinois, September 30, 2016, lot 56; Private Collection, Connecticut
  • Exhibited: New York, New York, MB Modern, February 6-25, 1997
  • Notes: This work is recorded in the Emily Mason | Alice Trumbull Mason Foundation archives and catalogue.
    "My work, while never a depiction of nature, is analogous in its process to the workings of nature and, in its resul t, aims for the beauty of the interior of a great storm or a day lily."1
    Emily Mason was born and raised in New York City where her art education began in the studio with her mother Alice Trumbull Mason, a founding member of the American Abstract Artists. Alice encouraged Emily to be an artist. She graduated from New York City's High School of Music and Art and then attended Bennington College and the Cooper Union. In 1956 she was awarded a two-year Fulbright grant to paint in Venice, Italy. While studying at the Accademia delle Belle Arti she first experimented with blotting and transferring paint onto the surface of the canvas.
    In 1957, at the Ponte de Rialto, Mason married painter Wolf Kahn (19272020). The couple moved to New York City by 1960 where Mason had her f irst solo exhibition at the Area Gallery in Manhattan. At the time, her mother and husband were the attention-getters but Mason continued to develop her own style even if overshadowed. In the 1990s she really came into her own creating larger and more complex canvases.
    The present lot, Blue Angel, from this peak period in Mason's career is a large format canvas with bold colors and confident, gestural brushstrokes. Her drawing of this work, in the Emily Mason and Alice Trumbull Mason archives, was created after the painting as a way for her to study the interactions of color and form and record her works. Mason said "I'd like a painting to take me to a place I haven't been. If it does, then that's my reward." The title of the present lot suggests a spiritual place and indeed the viewer is mesmerized when standing in front of this composition.
    1 E.W. Almino, "'That Magical Thing': The Poetry of Emily Mason," Emily Mason, New York, 2018, p. 6
  • Condition: in excellent original condition; unlined canvas

    CONDITION REPORTS FOR THE AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A CONDITION REPORT ON THIS LOT. THE ABSENCE OF A CONDITION REPORT OR THE ABSENCE OF A REFERENCE TO DAMAGE DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE LOT IS IN GOOD CONDITION OR FREE FROM RESTORATION OR REPAIR.

    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. 
    NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE. 

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

As a convenience to the Buyer, Shannon's LLC will make a referral for packing and shipping. For a preliminary quote you may contact Jeff Von Flatern at [email protected] or 203-453-8866, Levi Shmulsky at [email protected] or (860) 561-1369, or Kristen Vineyard at Village Express [email protected] or 203-481-7426.

Shipping is at the request, expense, and risk of the Buyer, and Shannon's assumes no responsibility for the items or the timing of delivery. Insurance for in transit items is the responsibility of the buyer.

October 30, 2025 6:00 PM EDT
Milford, CT, US

Shannon's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000