?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 40,000 - $ 60,000
(ART.) MASOOD, ALI WILBERT WARREN. Large collection of the artist's original work. Consisting of: 19 8vo sketch books averaging 100 pages each, mostly drawn in pencil, and dating from 1934 forward; 150 larger drawings done on 10 x 15 inch sketchbook paper, some in color, drawn on rectos only, some with multiple images, contained in three portfolios, each with fifty 9 x 12 conté crayon and sepia felt tip drawings --'Artiste Life Sketches by Ali, 1932 – 1956.' Plus 62 larger (14 x 11 inches) drawings, mostly in sepia felt tip and conté crayon; plus 42 larger (24 x 18 inches) drawings, mostly sepia felt tip, some conté crayon, a few in color; plus one framed portrait. In all, over 2000 drawings of various size. together with the artwork are a number of photographs some from Masood's time in the service; others show Ali in his studio, working on a piece of sculpture as well as a few photos of finished sculpture. Also part of this collection are some pieces of ephemera including material from the Baha'i religion. The condition of the artwork is generally very good, but given the size of the collection, it should be seen. Vp, 1940's-'80's.
a truly exceptional collection of original artwork by masood ali wilbert warren (1907-1995) Masood, African-American painter, and sculptor, was a Muslim convert, though there is evidence that he explored the Baha'i religion earlier on in life. While he is known primarily for his portrait busts of famous people, Masood was a prolific sketcher, filling dozens of small and large notebooks with conté crayon, graphite and felt tip pen drawings. This collection is rich in images captured by Masood during his time as quartermaster sergeant in the U.S. Army. Masood served here and abroad over a long military career. Masood also created a number of bronze pieces, several of which are shown in the photographs included with the artwork. Masood was an observer of people and his sketchbooks are filled with images of people of all types, sorts, and sizes, both during his military service and during his travels on the buses and subways of New York. Many of the larger drawings bear notations in Ali's hand. There is even a snapshot (unfortunately slightly overexposed) of Ali sitting at a small table on what appears to be Lenox Avenue in Harlem; there he would draw portraits for a few dollars. In addition to all of the sketchbooks and loose drawings, there is a very nice framed felt tip portrait titled 'Andre Jeanne, Paris, France, French Navy' signed 'Ali Masood Warren' not dated but circa 1950's. Masood attended the Art Students League in New York in the 1930s, and was a participant in art project portion of the Works Progress Administration. He received his BA from New York University in 1939, and an MA from Temple University in 1961. Warren has been exhibited at the National Academy of Design, the American Watercolor Society, and the National Arts Club. Examples of his work are held by Yale and the Richard Allen Museum in Philadelphia.
