Lot 49

Richard Olney, Portrait of James Baldwin. Circa 1951.

Previous image preload Next image preload

Richard Olney, Portrait of James Baldwin. Circa 1951.

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Starting Bid: $3,000

(0 Bids)

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

Richard Olney
1927-1999
Portrait of James Baldwin. Circa 1951.
Oil on canvas.
Initialed, lower right.

  • Provenance:
    Collection of Judge James Anton (1914-2006), Indiana.
    Ripley Auctions, Indiana, September 17, 2006, lot 35.
    Private collection, Indiana.

    Notes:
    Richard Olney was a renowned cook and food writer, known for introducing French country cooking to the American audience with his book The French Menu Cookbook. He was born in Marathon, Iowa, but spent most of his adult life in France, writing more than 35 books on food and wine. He first moved to Paris in 1951, where he met and befriended many American and English expatriates, including James Baldwin, Ned Rorem, John Ashbery, and Kenneth Anger. In 1960 he received a painting grant from the Ingram Merrill Foundation, and used the funds to purchase a farmhouse in Solliès-Toucas, Provence, where he lived for the rest of his life.
  • Dimensions: 21 3/4 x 18 1/4 in. (55.2 x 46.4 cm.)
    Frame: 24 x 20 3/4 in. (61 x 52.7 cm.)
  • Medium: Oil on canvas.
  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
32.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
27.00%
$1,000,001+:
17.00%

View full terms and conditions

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