Lot 258

Burton Silverman, Portrait of Ethyl Eichelberger.

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Burton Silverman, Portrait of Ethyl Eichelberger.

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500

Starting Bid: $750

(0 Bids)

by Swann Auction Galleries
August 13, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
Live Auction
104 East 25th Street
New York, NY, US 10010

Burton Silverman
b. 1928
Portrait of Ethyl Eichelberger.
Oil on board.
Signed, lower right.

  • Provenance:
    Private collection, New Jersey.

    Notes:
    Ethyl Eichelberger (1945-1990) was a vivid presence in the New York theater scene, serving as an actor, performance artist, singer, playwright and musician throughout the 1980s. Eichelberger performed both male and female roles in over 30 plays of their own creation, exploring femininity and strength, and embodying various historical, fictional and mythic characters of "women who survive," some notable characters include King Lear, Medusa and Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. He was a member of Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company, where he met actor Black-Eyed Susan, who would become a close friend and collaborator. Eichelberger died of AIDS related causes in 1990.
  • Dimensions: 15 7/8 x 10 7/8 in. (40.3 x 27.6 cm.)
    Frame: 20 x 15 in. (50.8 x 38.1 cm.)
  • Medium: Oil on board.
  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000