Randolph College's Paintings Pulled From Auction

Christie's has pulled four paintings consigned by Randolph College from two auctions this month. Rufino Tamayo's Trovador was included in a sale on November 19th. George Bellows' Men of the Docks, Ernest Hennings' Through the Arroyo, and Edward Hicks' Peaceable Kingdom were scheduled to go on the block on November 29th.

Opponents of the sale are challenging the school's decision to deaccession the pieces from the collection of its Maier Museum. Earlier today, it looked like Randolph would be able to proceed with the sale. But this afternoon, an e-mail from Anne Yastremski, the executive director of Preserve Educational Choice, an organization funding litigation against Randolph, and an AP story reveal a reversal of fortune. Essentially, the court lowered the bond from $10 million to $1 million and ordered that it be paid by December 3rd in order to invoke a 6-month injunction of the sale.

In a statement, Christie's said, "We are disappointed by the court's decision. We hope to have the opportunity to offer these exceptional paintings for sale at a later date, in support of Randolph College's efforts to ensure its future."