American Art

Eric P. Widing

Department Head
Christie's Americas

Eric Widing joined Christie's in 1998 and is responsible for major business development, client relations and appraisals. He has been instrumental in the growth of the department in both auctions and private sales. Under his leadership, auction results have increased by an average of 25% a year for the last five years. Responsible for the sale of art across a broad spectrum of categories, the American Art Department handles Colonial Art, the Hudson River School, Art of the American West, Impressionism, Early Modernism, and many other related areas. The department has handled notable private sales including the 2006 much publicized record setting sale of Thomas Eakins' masterwork, The Gross Clinic, for $68 million, the highest price ever achieved for an American work of art created prior to World War II.

Before joining Christie's, Mr. Widing was a fine art dealer, most recently as co-owner of Widing & Peck Fine Art, Inc., an American Art gallery in New York City. Widing & Peck represented the estate of George Bellows and handled the sale of two centuries of American artists. Mr. Widing holds a B.A. in art history from Williams College, where he graduated with honors and was awarded the Karl E. Weston Prize for his senior thesis in art history. He is frequently cited in the national art press.

Margot B. Chvatal

Specialist
New York

Ms. Chvatal brings a wealth of experience to her role as a specialist in the American Paintings & Sculpture Department. A graduate from Boston University with a degree in Art History and History, Ms. Chvatal began her career at a major auction house in Boston. She then moved to Washington, D.C. to manage auctions of fine art and private sales at a prominent appraisal company. Ms. Chvatal joined Christie's in 2000.

Ariana Hartsock

Specialist
New York

Ariana Hartsock is responsible for business-getting, appraising of property for sale and producing twice-yearly sales at Rockefeller Center. Prior to joining Christie’s, Ms. Hartsock was a cataloguer of American Paintings at a major New York auction house. A graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara with a degree in Art History, Ms. Hartsock held associate positions at prominent California galleries specializing in California and American Impressionism before relocating to New York. Ms. Hartsock earned a Masters in Modern Art, Connoisseurship and History of the Art Market at Christie’s Education in New York.

Aviva Itzkowitz

Specialist
New York

Aviva Itzkowitz began her career at Christie's in 1998, first as a client service representative and then as a sale administrator for the Maritime and Nineteenth Century European Art departments. In 2002 she moved to the American Paintings department and shortly thereafter became Head of the Fine American Paintings sales (2004-2006). These semi-annual sales generated over $5 million dollars in gross income per year during her tenure and established world auction record prices for more than two dozen American artists. In 2006 Ms. Itzkowitz was promoted to her current position as Associate Specialist for the Important American Paintings auctions where she is active in appraisals and business development.

Ms. Itzkowitz earned her B. A. Magna cum Laude in Art History from Yeshiva University in New York. Prior to joining Christie’s, she was an assistant curator in the Books & Manuscripts Department at the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.

Elizabeth Sterling

Specialist
New York

Elizabeth Sterling joined the American Art department in 2004. Prior to joining Christie’s, she interned with a major New York auction house and worked for a prominent American Paintings dealer.

Ms. Sterling received a B.A. in Art History from William College.

Peter J. Kloman

Specialist
Los Angeles

Mr. Kloman started his career at Christie’s in the Estates & Appraisals Department, which readied him for his specialist’s role in the American Paintings Department. Prior to joining Christie’s, he worked at both the National Gallery of Art and The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. Mr. Kloman received a B.A. in Art History from the University of Virginia.