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Property formerly from the Collection of Dr. Freddy and Regina T. Homburger
Freddy and Regina Homburger were married 1939 in Geneva and came to the United States in 1941. Freddy previously earned a medical degree from the University of Geneva in 1940 and passed his U.S. medical examinations to obtain a U.S. degree. After working as a Fellow at the Yale and Harvard Medical Schools, Freddy along with his wife Regina, who was also known as Gin, and an associate Dr. Peter Bernfeld, founded the independent Bio-Research Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts concentrating on examining and evaluating the carcinogenic effects of tobacco.
Besides his very intensive professional activities, Freddy was an accomplished watercolorist, a passionate aviator and served as Honorary Consul for Switzerland in Boston from 1966 to 1986. Gin actively supported him during his whole career.
The collection now being offered for sale began with acquisitions of works of art during Freddy and Gin's many trips abroad, especially South America. The Homburgers were passionate art collectors and they were interested in many different areas of the arts. Guided by their insatiable curiosity and eclectic good taste, they assembled a collection of Impressionist and Modern Art, Pre-Columbian Art, South East Asian and Indian Sculpture, Antiquities, Old Master drawings and prints. A portion of the sale proceeds will benefit the Portland Museum of Art in Maine.
In 1950, Freddy read about Raoul Dufy suffering from severe arthritis, which threatened his ability to paint. Freddy invited Dufy to come to Boston for treatment with a newly developed drug. Dufy accepted Freddy's invitation replying that he was "willing to put himself in the hands of a fellow artist." The treatment was successful and allowed Dufy to continue painting for a number of years. A great mutual respect and friendship was forged during this time. Most of Dufy's paintings in the collection stem from this period.
In 1957, the Homburgers inherited an impressive group of French 19th century Impressionist paintings from Gin's mother, Mrs. Thürlimann. Thus, the collection is in part due to force majeure, but mainly it is the result of a lifelong interest in a wide range of art and a commitment to seeking and pursuing new opportunities.
Freddy died in September 2001 and Gin followed him in January 2002.
Property formerly from the Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Freddy and Regina T. Homburger
Camille Pissarro (1830-1903)
Chelsea, Londres
Details
Camille Pissarro (1830-1903)
Chelsea, Londres
titled and dated 'Chelsea Londres 1890' (lower left)
watercolor over pencil on paper laid down at the edges on board
7 x 5 in. (17.8 x 12.7 cm.)
Painted in London, 1890
Chelsea, Londres
titled and dated 'Chelsea Londres 1890' (lower left)
watercolor over pencil on paper laid down at the edges on board
7 x 5 in. (17.8 x 12.7 cm.)
Painted in London, 1890
Provenance
Otto Kallir, New York.
Galerie St. Etienne, New York.
Acquired from the above by the late owners.
Galerie St. Etienne, New York.
Acquired from the above by the late owners.
Exhibited
Cambridge, Fogg Art Museum, Selections from the Collections of Freddy and Regina T. Homburger, A Loan Exhibition, April 1971, p. 140, no. 63 (illustrated, p. 64).
Augusta, Maine State Museum, Freddy and Regina T. Homburger Art Collection, August 1971, no. 110 (illustrated).
Sarasota, Florida, Ringling Museum of Art; Melbourne, Florida, Brevard Museum of Art & Science, and Daytona Beach, The Museum of Arts and Sciences, A Collectors World, Art of Four Continents, October 1978-December 1979, no. 37.
Maine, Portland Museum of Art, November 1991-June 2002 (on extended loan).
Augusta, Maine State Museum, Freddy and Regina T. Homburger Art Collection, August 1971, no. 110 (illustrated).
Sarasota, Florida, Ringling Museum of Art; Melbourne, Florida, Brevard Museum of Art & Science, and Daytona Beach, The Museum of Arts and Sciences, A Collectors World, Art of Four Continents, October 1978-December 1979, no. 37.
Maine, Portland Museum of Art, November 1991-June 2002 (on extended loan).