Introduction
Cecil de Blaquiere Howard was an American sculptor and painter whose career spanned the early twentieth century, a period of profound artistic transformation. Born in 1888 in Clifton, Ontario (now part of Niagara Falls), Howard established himself as a versatile and innovative artist who worked across multiple styles and materials. His work bridged classical traditions with modernist experimentation, earning him recognition from major patrons and institutions throughout Europe and the United States.
Biography
Cecil de Blaquiere Howard was born on April 2, 1888, in Clifton, Welland County, Ontario, Canada, in what is today the city of Niagara Falls. He was the fourth child of British businessman George Henry Howard and Alice Augusta Farmer. The distinctive middle name “de Blaquiere” came from his maternal grandmother and would become integral to his professional identity as an artist.
Howard received his early education at Lafayette High School, graduating in 1903. Following his secondary studies, he pursued formal artistic training at the Art Students’ League in Buffalo, where he studied sculpture under the renowned James Earle Fraser, one of America’s most celebrated sculptors. This foundational training in the principles of figurative sculpture would shape his approach throughout his career.
Seeking deeper artistic development, Howard traveled to Paris to study at the prestigious Académie Julian, an institution that attracted aspiring artists from across the world. His time in Paris proved transformative. He became integrated into the vibrant Parisian art scene during the early twentieth century, a period marked by radical experimentation and the emergence of modernist movements. During this period, Howard developed friendships with influential cultural figures, including the poet and critic Guillaume Apollinaire. In 1917, Howard participated in the premiere of Apollinaire’s surrealist drama “Les Mamelles de Tirésias,” providing accordion music and sound effects for the production—a testament to his engagement with avant-garde artistic movements.
Howard’s sculptural practice was characterized by remarkable versatility and experimentation. He worked across multiple stylistic approaches, including figurative sculpture, polychrome works, cubism, art deco, classicism, and neoclassicism. His subjects frequently centered on the human form—captured in motion, at rest, or engaged in athletic pursuits. This thematic consistency reflected his deep interest in anatomical accuracy and expressive potential of the body.
His material palette was equally diverse. Howard worked in clay, stone, marble, wood, plasticine, terracotta, plaster, wax, bronze, and silver, demonstrating mastery across a wide range of sculptural media. This technical versatility allowed him to explore different aesthetic possibilities and respond to various commissions and artistic objectives.
Following World War I, Howard received significant commissions to create war memorials in Normandy, work that established his reputation as a sculptor of historical importance. His sculptures were acquired by major American patrons, including Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, one of the most influential art collectors of the era, and Henry Luce, the prominent publisher and art patron. These acquisitions reflected the high regard in which his work was held by discerning collectors.
Throughout the inter-war period, Howard divided his time between France, England, and the United States, producing some of his most significant works during this creatively fertile period. His sculptures were featured in major exhibitions and received critical acclaim from both European and American art critics and institutions. He was honored with prestigious medals from the National Academy of Design, including the Widener Gold Medal, the Herbert Adams Memorial Medal, and the E. N. Watrous Gold Medal, recognizing his contributions to American sculpture.
Howard’s artistic approach was distinguished by a synthesis of classical traditions and modernist innovation. Rather than abandoning the lessons of antiquity, he reinterpreted classical principles through contemporary artistic languages, creating works that were both respectful of tradition and forward-looking in their formal experimentation.
Cecil de Blaquiere Howard passed away on September 5, 1956, in New York, leaving behind a substantial body of work that continues to be recognized for its technical mastery, stylistic range, and contribution to the development of modern sculpture. His legacy encompasses both his individual artistic achievements and his participation in the dynamic artistic communities of early twentieth-century Paris, London, and New York.
Archive Cecil de Blaquiere Howard
As an American sculptor and painter of significant historical importance, Cecil de Blaquiere Howard’s works benefit from proper documentation and authentication. While no single centralized archive or foundation is universally recognized for all of his works, proper certification and provenance documentation are essential for establishing authenticity and market value.
For collectors and institutions seeking to verify works attributed to Howard, authentication should be based on multiple factors: documented exhibition history, provenance records, photographic archives from major institutions that have held his work, and comparative analysis with authenticated pieces. Major American museums and the archives of institutions such as the National Academy of Design maintain records relevant to Howard’s career and exhibition history.
Given Howard’s prominence in early twentieth-century sculpture and his work for major patrons such as Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, many of his pieces are documented in institutional collections and historical records. When acquiring works attributed to Howard, collectors should seek comprehensive provenance documentation, including purchase receipts, exhibition catalogs, photographs, and any available certificates of authenticity. Professional appraisal by specialists in early twentieth-century American sculpture is recommended for significant acquisitions.
The importance of certification for Howard’s works cannot be overstated, particularly given the market for early modern American sculpture. Proper authentication protects both buyers and the integrity of the artist’s legacy, ensuring that works are correctly attributed and valued according to their genuine historical and artistic significance.
Artwork Quotes
Cecil de Blaquiere Howard’s sculptures command attention in the contemporary art market, reflecting his historical significance and the quality of his artistic output. Based on available auction results and market data, his works typically fall within the following indicative price ranges:
Bronze Sculptures: Howard’s bronze works, particularly his figurative pieces from the 1920s-1940s, generally range from $15,000 to $45,000 at auction, depending on size, condition, provenance, and subject matter. Smaller bronzes may be priced toward the lower end of this range, while monumental works or pieces with exceptional provenance command higher valuations.
Stone and Marble Works: His sculptures executed in stone or marble, often larger in scale, typically range from $20,000 to $60,000, reflecting both the material value and the labor-intensive nature of stone carving.
Paintings and Works on Paper: Howard’s paintings and drawings generally range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on size, condition, and subject matter.
War Memorials and Monumental Works: Larger commissioned works, particularly war memorials, may exceed these ranges significantly, with valuations dependent on historical importance, location, and condition.
These price ranges are indicative and based on historical auction results and market comparables. Individual works may vary considerably based on specific characteristics, condition, provenance, and current market conditions.
The values indicated are generated from the analysis of auction results and are for informational purposes only. Pontiart disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of such data. For a precise valuation please contact our experts.
Artwork Valuations
Cecil de Blaquiere Howard’s work is valued by the international art market as a significant contribution to early twentieth-century American sculpture. His position in art history reflects several factors that influence current market assessment:
Historical Significance: Howard’s career coincided with major artistic movements and transitions in sculpture. His willingness to experiment with cubism, art deco, and modernist approaches while maintaining classical training demonstrates an artist engaged with the most important artistic conversations of his era. This historical positioning makes his work relevant to collectors and institutions studying early modern sculpture.
Institutional Recognition: The acquisition of his works by major American collectors such as Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and their presence in institutional collections establishes Howard’s credentials as an artist of consequence. Works that have passed through significant collections or are documented in museum archives command higher valuations.
Technical Mastery: Howard’s training under James Earle Fraser and his studies at the Académie Julian in Paris provided him with rigorous technical foundation. His sculptures demonstrate anatomical knowledge, compositional sophistication, and material expertise that appeal to collectors valuing craftsmanship and artistic skill.
Material and Scale: Works executed in precious materials such as bronze, marble, or silver, or monumental in scale, typically command higher valuations. Howard’s versatility across materials means that collectors can acquire works at various price points.
Provenance and Documentation: Works with clear provenance, exhibition history, and documentation are valued significantly higher than those lacking such records. Howard’s prominence means that many of his works are documented in institutional or private collection records.
Market Trends: Contemporary interest in early twentieth-century American sculpture has increased, particularly as collectors seek alternatives to more heavily marketed modern artists. This growing market interest supports valuations for Howard’s work and creates opportunities for acquisition.
The international art market recognizes Howard as a skilled and historically important sculptor whose work bridges classical and modernist traditions. His sculptures are sought by museums, institutional collectors, and private collectors interested in early American modernism and the development of twentieth-century sculpture.
Buy Artworks
Pontiart specializes in the acquisition and sale of works by Cecil de Blaquiere Howard. Whether you are interested in purchasing a sculpture, painting, or drawing by this important American artist, our gallery can assist you in locating available works and negotiating acquisitions.
How to Purchase Through Pontiart: Contact our gallery and describe the type of work you are seeking—whether a specific sculpture, painting, or drawing, or works from a particular period in Howard’s career. Provide information about your collecting interests, budget parameters, and any specific subject matter or materials you prefer. Our specialists will search our network of sources and inform you about available works that match your criteria.
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Valuation and Appraisal Services: If you own a work by Howard and wish to understand its current market value, Pontiart provides free estimates and professional valuations. Our experts analyze market comparables, provenance, condition, and historical significance to provide accurate assessments.
How to Sell Works by Howard: If you wish to sell a sculpture, painting, or drawing by Cecil de Blaquiere Howard, contact Pontiart with the following information: a frontal photograph of the work, a photograph of the back or reverse side, a clear image of any signature or markings, and the dimensions of the piece. Additionally, provide information about the work’s provenance—where and when you acquired it—and any available documentation such as purchase receipts, exhibition catalogs, certificates of authenticity, or publications in which the work appears.
Our Process: One of our specialists will respond to your inquiry on the same day, maintaining complete confidentiality and professional discretion throughout the evaluation and transaction process. We guarantee maximum confidentiality and work with collectors and estates to facilitate smooth transactions.
Contact Information: Reach out to us via email at [email protected] or WhatsApp at +39 3205747749 to discuss buying or selling works by Cecil de Blaquiere Howard. Our team is ready to assist with acquisitions, valuations, and sales.