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The Garden Pool
Frieseke Painting Sets Auction Record

Four works from the estate of Joan B. Kroc, noted philanthropist and collector, and wife of Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's, were offered at auction at Christie's New York in May, including "The Garden Pool," an oil on canvas masterpiece of American Impressionism by Frederick Carl Frieseke, which fetched $2,368,000, setting a new world auction record for the artist. Frieseke was born in Owosso, Michigan in 1874 and died in Mesnil-sur-Blangy, France in 1939.

Commented Eric Widing, senior vice president, specialist head of Christie's American paintings department, "This auction marked a return to a level of saleroom exuberance we have not seen for several years, with extraordinary prices and energy throughout. We are delighted with our new world auction record for a Frederick Carl Frieseke - and for the overall health of the American art market."