SURREAL PAINTINGS OF RAYMOND A. WHYTE TO STAR IN ST. PETERSBURG, FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2008

BURCHARD GALLERIES, INC
Sale AUGUST 23 - 24, 2008

CONTACT:
JEFFREY BURCHARD
(727) 821-1167

The August 23-24 sale at Burchard Galleries, Inc in St. Petersburg will feature artwork and artifacts from the estate of portrait, surrealist and neomanneristic painter Raymond A. Whyte.

Even though Raymond A. Whyte (American 1923-2002) was a nationally famous artist and a world renowned portrait and surrealist painter, his works of art seldom come to auction. They currently are on display in major collections like those of Malcom Forbes, J. Paul Getty, Orson Bean and the DeBeers Museum to mention only a few but they seldom are offered for sale. The Burchard event of August 23-24 will be an exception offering a rare opportunity to acquire Whyte’s work. The two day event will feature approximately 45 works by Whyte as well as some of his personal artworks and furnishings.

In addition to the Whyte inventory, the two day 1,000 lot sale will offer other important works of art by Miro, Vassarelly, Rockwell, Littleman and Dali as well as jewelry and fine furnishings including inlaid French and European carved furniture, a wide selection of sterling silver services and hollowware, estate Oriental carpets and important diamond and gold jewelry from over twenty prestigious estates.

Raymond A. Whyte was listed in AskART, Who’s Who in American Art, International Who’s Who in Art and Antiques, Notable Americans of the Bicentennial Era, Who’s Who in the East, Dictionary of International Biographies, Collectors Choice, Colorado Quarterly, American Artists, Special Program on DeChirico and Whyte, hosted by Kevin Sanders, “Profile in Whyte” by John Angelini, N.J. Music and Arts. While some critics said his style was more Neo-Mannerism than Surrealist, most listings such as AskART show Surrealism as the primary entry.

Whyte was noted for his one man exhibitions holding thirty-one of them in New York, San Francisco, Houston, Naples, London and Paris including the de Saisset Museum of Art and Crocker Art Museum but he was also included in a number of multi artist exhibitions such as those at the Houston Museum, Bridgeport Art Museum, Columbia Museumof Art, Butler Institute, Malcom Forbes Exhibitions; Allied Artists, Audubon Artist, Art Students League Diamond Jubilee, Invited American Family Portraits and Commissions for Look Magazine National Academy.

All lots from the Whyte estate will be sold on an absolute basis as is more than 90% of this entire spectacular Auction. The sale will be conducted beginning at 9:00AM on Saturday August 23 and 12:00 NOON on Sunday August 24 at the Burchard Galleries facility located at 2528 30th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 and also will be carried live online by LiveAuciotneers.com. Preview for the sale will be at the Gallery beginning at 8:00AM Saturday for the August 23 portion and at 1:00PM Saturday August 23 for the Sunday session. Advance seating arrangements are suggested.

For more information call (727) 821-1167 or (800) 520-2787, email to mail@burchardgalleries.com or visit the website at www.burchardgalleries.com. Burchard Galleries normally has an auction the last weekend each month with a “discovery auction” on Saturday and an antiques sale on Sunday. Check the website for details.

written by:

Fred Taylor

http://www.furnituredetective.com/

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS FOR BURCHARD GALLERIES

Erotic nude painting Raymond A. Whyte (1923-2002) of his wife wife Erica Whyte, oil on board, 44 by 18in.

Estate gold & diamond jewelry to include a heavy sapphire encrusted leopard and "Black Hawk #117", a necklace and Indian Pendant by Jewel Masters, Palm Beach (139 grams).

A magnificent Renaissance Revival bedroom set.

Detail of a pair of Tromp L’Oeil tables by Whyte.

Whyte shawdowbox painting titled "Anniversary Still Life, Mementos of Artist & Wife Erica" dated Nov. 1959, oil on board, 20 by 24in, framed 32 by 32¾in.

Persian Carpet, 146 by 114½in, Raymond Whyte estate.