Agnes Pelton's Masterpieces Emerge: Moran’s Brings Two Transcendental Works to Light in Landmark Sales

Los Angeles, CA — In the world of fine art auctions, 2024 has been a landmark year for John Moran Auctioneers, particularly in their handling of works by Agnes Pelton. Once overshadowed by contemporaries like Georgia O’Keeffe, Pelton’s ethereal and spiritually charged paintings have finally stepped into the spotlight, thanks to Moran’s expert curation and presentation.

The auction house’s August Art + Design sale and November Modern & Contemporary Fine Art sale featured two breathtaking examples of Pelton’s ability to merge metaphysical ideas with Modernist abstraction: “Flowering” (1929) and “Sleep” (1928), respectively. Both sales not only proved the enduring significance of Pelton’s work but also solidified Moran’s reputation as the go-to auction house for California and American Fine Art.

Born in 1881, Agnes Pelton was a trailblazer who sought to express deeper spiritual truths through her art. Her journey from New York’s bustling art scene to the serene desert landscapes of Cathedral City, California, in the late 1920s was transformative. The isolation and vast beauty of the desert became central to her practice, inspiring what would become her most sought-after period: the transcendental desert works. Pelton’s paintings from this era are defined by their luminous forms, delicate color palettes, and allegorical symbols, serving as visual meditations that balance light and darkness, the known and the unknown.

Moran’s August 2024 sale saw “Flowering” (1929) achieve a stunning $571,500, far exceeding its estimate of $300,000 to $500,000. This fresh-to-market piece, hidden away for nearly a century, came complete with Pelton’s original silver-gray frame – a detail cherished by collectors for its authenticity. The painting’s rediscovery during a routine estate consignment walkthrough – where it was nearly donated to a Tijuana charity – made its eventual sale all the more remarkable.  Following this success, Moran’s November sale featured “Sleep” (1928), which sold for an impressive $508,000. This serene, dream-like composition, described by Pelton as “a sphere of immunity,” came with a rare explanatory note from the artist herself. Both “Flowering” and “Sleep” had rich exhibition histories, having been shown at prestigious venues like the Montross Gallery in New York and the Grace Nicholson Gallery in Pasadena.  Moran’s success with these Agnes Pelton sales showcased more than just the growing demand for her work. It highlighted their unmatched expertise in uncovering hidden gems and understanding their historical significance. Their careful handling of Pelton’s transcendental abstractions – ensuring they retain their original frames and rich documentation – speaks to their dedication to preserving artistic integrity.

“I’ve been a little bit obsessed with the work of Agnes Pelton after first seeing her original works over 20 years ago at a Palm Springs collector’s home. Since then, there have been at least 3 major exhibitions of her work and her fellow Transcendentalists. I visited Moran’s over the summer to view “Flowering” but it was even more special to be in-house for the sale of “Sleep”. The deeply personal outward depiction of Pelton’s inner feeling of calm and serenity is an important work art historically for the artist, and it was gratifying that the painting was of interest to national and international bidders.”

— Katie Halligan, AAA
Fine Art Director