It would be interesting to see whether the rising status of Scalp Level, especially its leader George Hetzel can hold their values well in the current art market.

On Feb 6-8, 2009, Dargate Auction is going to offer a small study of Forest Interior which exemplifies Hetzel’s style and skill. According to the catalog, the painting was exhibited at the Johnstown Flood Museum “Masterworks of George Hetzel” exhibition in 1999. (Interesting it was the flood that stopped the annual excursion of Scalp Level painters from Pittsburgh.) The painting was oil on board and was about 10″ X 14 1/4″. It was purchased from Dargate Auction Gallery March 3, 1998.

About two years ago, James D. Julia auctioned a similar one (vertical orientation) for 11,000 dollars at the hammer price. This one is estimated between $8,000 and $12,000.Maybe the overall economy is not favoring the auction performance. But when the “Scalp Level Revisited” exhibition will end at the same weekend at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, where will those collectors go then?