One painting on the block was estimated to sell for between $250,000 and $350,000.
“Twenty years ago, what do you think this painting would have sold for?” asked Axelrod.
“It would been embarrassingly low, unfortunately,” Freeman replied. “Paintings of his sold for less than $20,000.”
It went for $800,000 — a record for the painter. Thirty-six years after his death, Norman Lewis is having a moment, exactly as he predicted.
“Norman told that to my mother and myself that he didn’t expect to be noticed until 30 to 40 years later, maybe even longer,” said his daughter, Tarin Fuller.
“Here you are, right on time,” said Axelrod.
“Well, he called it just like he could call the horses!”
For 50 years, Lewis painted with a style all his own, and with an astounding command of color and line.
