New York – Lynda Thomas possessed a warm, generous, and kind spirit dedicated to making the world a more harmonious place. She was a dedicated philanthropist for the arts, specifically Jazz programs, and a passionate advocate for the promotion of international dialogue and diplomacy. Ms. Thomas also possessed a keen eye for paintings and sculpture of exceptional quality and taste. Her collection of American and European Modernism includes works from the titans of the movements such as Milton Avery, Charles Burchfield, Elie Nadelman, and Henri Matisse. We at Bonhams are honored and thrilled to be offering works from her collection in our November 2021 and May 2022 sales.

The collection is led by Milton Avery's Robed Nude, which was painted in 1960 and encapsulates his mature style of chromatic abstraction on a monumental scale. The work is featured on the cover of Bonhams' American Art sale on November, Thursday 18 in New York with an estimate of $1,000,000-1,500,000.

Specialist, Morgan Martin, commented: "Painted at a time when absolute abstraction was the pinnacle of creativity, Robed Nude personifies Avery's status as "a solitary figure working against the stream" – as Adolph Gottlieb eulogized. Avery has simplified the figure's partially nude body to the simplest lines to expose volume and silhouette, forgoing any extemporaneous detail in favour of purity in form. He aims to capture the distilled essence of the figure, rather than the exact physical likeness of his subject. The result is a truly captivating work by an artist in their prime."

Other highlights of the collection include:

• Childe Hassam (1859-1935), Marine View, Isles of Shoals (Panel of a Decorative Mural for the Charles Erskine Scott Wood House, Portland, Oregon). 48 1/4 x 40 7/8 in. (122.6 x 103.8 cm.) (Painted circa 1904). Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000.

• Charles Ephriam Burchfield (1893-1967), Trees in Meadow. 25 x 33 in. (63.5 x 83.8 cm.) (Executed from 1951-56.) Estimate: $120,000 - 180,000.

• Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), Seated Woman with Raised Arm (Circus Woman) 47 in. (119.4 cm.) high, on a 29 1/4 (74.3 cm.) high wooden base (Modeled circa 1926; cast circa 1965.) Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000.

• Henri Matisse (1869-1954), Lizerb. 20 11/16 x 16 in (52.5 x 40.6 cm) (Executed in Nice in 1949.) Estimate: $50,000 - 70,000.