Auction introduction: Christie’s is proud to present American Art from COLLECTOR/CONNOISSEUR: The Max N. Berry Collections. Representative of the passionate expertise and dedication of a connoisseur collector, the collection stunningly represents the history of American Art, from Hudson River School and 19th century genre masterworks to Impressionist gems and 20th Century Realism. One of the most important selections of American Art left in private hands, the Max N. Berry Collection aptly makes its market debut during Christie’s special edition of Americana Week honoring America’s 250th anniversary. Leading the Evening Sale are Winslow Homer’s epic Mountain Climber Resting of 1869 and Albert Bierstadt’s sublime Mirror Lake (Yosemite Valley, Sunset) circa 1868 – two paintings that immortalize the breadth and beauty of the American landscape from the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the awe-inspiring West. Rare still-life highlights include a superb early work by master James Peale and a Civil-War era Robert Spear Dunning. Jewels of American Impressionism include Childe Hassam’s sundrenched Gloucester Harbor of 1899 and William Merritt Chase’s Afternoon in the Park circa 1888. Charles Prendergast’s extraordinary three-paneled Screen of 1937 and Andrew Wyeth’s 1972 In the Orchard represent the creative achievements of 20th century American Art.