SINGLE PAINTING SOLD AT AUCTION FOR $336,000 WILL MEAN EXTRAORDINARY GIFT FOR AUDUBON CANYON RANCH'S BOUVERIE PRESERVE

A single painting, originally from the estate of David Pleydell-Bouverie, sold for an astonishing $336,000 at Bonham's & Butterfield's European Paintings fine art auction on Wednesday May 16, 2007 in San Francisco.

Preliminarily attributed to the Studio of John Rathbone (1750-1807), this oil on canvas is now being credited to William Ashford (1746-1824). The painting attracted serious collector interest on Wednesday at Bonhams & Butterfields, resulting in a bidder battle culminating with a selling price of $336,000 for the oil on canvas titled: "An extensive river landscape with figures alighting from a boat in the foreground". Bidding opened at $4,000.

Photo courtesy Bonhams & Butterfields

"We are gratified and amazed with the outcome of the Bonham's auction and the incredible sale of the painting from David Bouverie's estate," said Maurice (Skip) Schwartz, Executive Director, Audubon Canyon Ranch. "The sale price of the painting highlights David Bouverie's thoughtful legacy and the ongoing contribution his estate brings to the Bouverie Preserve, even years after his death. "

"We're excited to be able to use the auction proceeds for our programs of education, preservation and research at Bouverie Preserve and for the benefit of the Sonoma County community."

Equally exciting was the sale of four pen and ink drawings by John Minton for $90,000. Authenticated by Bonhams & Butterfields, the works of art auctioned in May and June included 19th century English, Italian and Dutch paintings, as well as a sculpture by David James Gilhooly. All the pieces which were part of the approximately 500-acre estate that was donated to ACR in 1979 by David Pleydell-Bouverie, a Sonoma County resident, environmentalist and art and antiques collector.

David Pleydell-Bouverie donated his estate to ACR with the intent that his legacy be used to inspire a deep appreciation of nature among future generations of children. In his will, Mr. Bouverie stated that his art collection be used by ACR as the organization sees fit, including sale of the collection to fund ACR programs.

A strong advocate of environmental education, David Bouverie once said, "At the Bouverie Preserve, we are counting on children and grown-ups gaining a bit of love, knowledge, and respect for nature, to preserve our fast-disappearing heritage."

"As a collector, Mr. Bouverie had a keen trained eye, his artworks were tastefully selected," said Malcolm Walker, Bonhams & Butterfields' European Painting Specialist in its San Francisco gallery. Multiple works from Bouverie's collection have been exhibited and accepted into the permanent collections at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, as well as the Legion of Honor.

Buyers not only bring a special piece of David Bouverie's artwork into their collections, but also support the programs at the Bouverie Preserve, which honor David Bouverie's legacy in the Sonoma Valley.

To find out more about the Bouverie Preserve of Audubon Canyon Ranch, click here. To learn how you can support the environmental education programs of the Bouverie Preserve by becoming a Friend of Bouverie, click here.