Richard Feigen was renowned for his sharp, often visionary eye for both historical and contemporary art, but what truly distinguished him, was his extraordinary private collection. He often described himself as “a collector in dealers’ clothes”, building a collection that was both eclectic and exceptional.

Born in Chicago in 1930, Feigen acquired his first artwork at the age of 12. He later went on to open his Astor Street gallery in 1957, showcasing a collection rich in German Expressionism, and by 1959 he had organised the first major U.S. exhibition of Francis Bacon. Within a decade, Feigen operated two galleries in New York, dealing in works by masters such as Monet, Beckmann, Dubuffet, and Cornell - the latter being an artist he championed early in his career. He once remarked, “The artists that I like take chances… They’re not painting in their rearview mirror. They’re painting through the windshield.”

This sale exemplifies Feigen’s bold and discerning approach to collecting. Among the standout pieces is Max Beckmann’s Grosser Steinbruch in Oberbayern (Large Quarry in Upper Bavaria), a powerful abstract work defined by its striking structural composition and psychological depth. We also have Figures by a Road and Pond at Sunset by Richard Parkes Bonington, which epitomises early 19th-century Romantic landscape painting, radiant in its portrayal of light and atmosphere. Finally, making its debut on the market, we are pleased to be offering Samuel Palmer’s The Gleaning Field - a visionary, Blake-inspired pastoral - offering collectors a rare chance to acquire a masterpiece from one of Romanticism’s most important British painters.

Together, these works reflect Feigen’s lifelong dedication to quality, historical importance, and intellectual depth. A passionate Anglophile with a profound admiration for Italian painting, British landscapes, and 20th-century German art, Feigen curated a collection that celebrated great artistic traditions in both America and Europe. Many pieces that passed through his hands now reside in prestigious institutions such as the Louvre, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., securing his status as one of the art world's most influential figures.

Commenting on the collection, Head of Old Master, British and European Art, Brandon Lindberg said, “Richard Feigen was a luminary in the art world - a visionary dealer with the eye of a true collector. His instinct for quality and historical significance shaped the careers of countless artists and defined taste for generations of collectors. This sale is a remarkable opportunity to engage with a collection that spans centuries, styles, and movements. Each work reflects Feigen’s passion, intellect, and deep reverence for the power of art. As a leading UK auction house with an expanding transatlantic reach, Dreweatts is proud to offer a unique platform for introducing esteemed US collections to British audiences.”

Auction Details

Auction: 
Wednesday 2 July 2025, 2pm BST
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE, UK
Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids. 

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Viewing in London (Highlights)
Dreweatts, 16-17 Pall Mall, St James’s, London SW1Y 5LU
Monday 23 - Wednesday 25 June

Viewing in Newbury (Full sale)
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE, UK
Sunday 29 June - Tuesday 1 July 

Further information:
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | pictures@dreweatts.com 
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com