FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Christopher Lynch, President
Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Two City Center, Portland, ME 04101
www.LegacySIR.com
207.780.8900
CLynch@LegacySIR.com

Pictured left to right, Christopher Lynch, President of Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty and C. Hugh Hidesley of Sotheby's Auction House.

PORTLAND, Maine (August 25, 2009) - For those with a love of the sea and marine art, the message from C. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby’s Auction House was clear, “visit your local museums and see first hand how those artists with a love of the sea were attracted to Maine’s coast and harbors.” A summer resident of Prout’s Neck, the New York native and art expert brought his experience and passion for maritime art to the Portland Country Club on August 13th for 200 guests.

“We were so pleased to have Hugh available to share his knowledge with us.  He is an expert in the field.  The tie between Maine, Maritime Art and the Sotheby’s Auction House was perfect,”said Chris Lynch, President/Owner of Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty.

The event was hosted by Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, and sponsored by H. M. Payson, and Perkins Thompson, all of Portland.  H.M. Payson is a premier Investment Advisory and Trust Management firm.  Perkins Thompson is a full-service business law firm serving clients since 1871.

In his lecture, Mr. Hildesley explored the ocean and coastal world on canvas through the eyes of renowned artists such as James E. Buttersworth, Alfred Thompson Bricher, and John Frederick Kensett and, of course, no discussion on Maine maritime art would be complete without appreciating Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer.

Most intriguing and relevant was the discussion of Winslow Homer (1836-1910), providing for a rich appreciation of his incredible composition with watercolors. The discussion segued to highlight the important work going into the restoration of Homer’s Studio on Prout’s Neck in Scarborough, a project being undertaken by the Portland Museum of Art. The Studio is where the great American artist lived and painted many of his masterpieces from 1883 until his death.

According to the Portland Museum website, the renovated Winslow Homer Studio, a registered National Historic Landmark, will be used to celebrate the artist's life, to encourage scholarship on Homer, and to educate audiences to appreciate the artistic heritage of Winslow Homer and Maine.

In one of Winslow’s paintings featured in the lecture, titled Northeaster (1895), one can envision Homer standing on the shores of Scarborough just as you would today. He painted what he saw.

“The synergies between Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty and Sotheby’s Auction are seemingly endless.  We look at Maine and its beautiful coastal communities as a global lifestyle destination.   Combine some terrific guests and two very prominent sponsors, HM Payson and Perkins Thompson, a successful event was ensured.  A good time was had by all,” said Chris Lynch.

About Hugh Hildesley

Mr. Hildesley joined Sotheby’s in 1964 and played an integral role in Sotheby’s formative years in New York. From 1964-70 he was the first Head of the Old Master Paintings Department in New York, going on to form Sotheby’s Appraisal Company in 1970. Educated at Sherborne School, Dorset, and Brasenose College, Oxford, Mr. Hildesley studied Dutch and Flemish Old Master paintings at the Rijksbureau Voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie in the Hague.

From 1973-1976, Mr. Hildesley was responsible for the Jack R. Dick Sale of Sporting Paintings in London, a record-breaking sale that sparked a renewal of interest in this area of collecting. As Senior Auctioneer, he has conducted some of Sotheby’s most prestigious sales, including the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Sale, the sale of the Property of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and The Barry Halper Sale of Baseball Memorabilia. Mr. Hildesley holds the record for any Canadian painting, having sold Paul Kane’s Captain Lefroy in 2002 for $5.2 million. Recently, he was the auctioneer responsible for the sale of the Guennol Lioness, of 3000 B.C., which sold for $57 million, a record for any sculpture sold at auction.

Mr. Hildesley trains Sotheby’s new auctioneers, and conducted 62 benefit auctions in 2007, raising over $17 million for charitable purposes. He has lectured widely on the art market and is author of The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling at Auction. Mr. Hildesley is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Associates of the Royal Academy Trust and a Fellow of the Society of the Arts (F.S.A.).

About Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty

Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty is the leading luxury property company in Maine.  With offices in Kennebunk, Portland, Brunswick and Camden, Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty serves the coastal communities in Maine for distinctive properties at all prices.  With more than 50 licensed agents, Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty is able to provide Real Estate services for buyers and sellers throughout Maine.  www.LegacySIR.com