pelham bay Sold for $55,000 at Swan Auction Gallery by Daniel Celentano WPA Artists Sale on Jan. 27, 2022 in New York City. Born and raised in a New Yorker, Celentano spent his career creating realistic paintings of everyday life in his hometown. He is particularly known for his scenes inside the Italian neighborhood of East Harlem, New York, where he was raised.
Celentano’s parents quickly recognized his talent and arranged for art teachers to teach him. He has enjoyed an active career, exhibiting in several galleries and in all major museums. During the Great Depression, he continued to produce works of a largely similar genre, painting murals for the Public Works of Art Project and the Federal Art Project.
Celentano’s . congested train in pelham bay New York is a quintessential scene—at least pre-pandemic (note the absence of masks)—so it’s no surprise that the painting sold for more than its $8,000 to $12,000 estimate. As this month’s Appraisal Committee report shows, whether it’s promotional rights or a family business, the value of something is often subjective, especially when tax compliance is involved. Read on for tips from our experts on how clients can stay out of tax court.
