James Milton Sessions Sold at Auction Prices

Naval painter, Illustrator, b. 1882 - d. 1962

Born in New York in 1882, artist James Milton Sessions specialized in maritime and military themes, outdoor genres, sport fishing, and commercial illustration. Many of James Milton Sessions' prints are reproduced from his watercolors, a medium in which he displayed his mastery of vibrant contrasts and action-filled compositions.

Throughout World War II, James Milton Sessions' prints and illustrations appeared in many major publications, documenting both the European and Pacific theaters of war. His so-called brush reporting played a role in the American understanding of pivotal battles.

James Milton Sessions' painting prices were affected by his destruction of much of his own work, shortly prior to his death in 1962. Some of his remaining originals can be found in the Art Institute of Chicago and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Add depth to your art collection and browse Invaluable to find other impressive landscape paintings for sale at auction.

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sold
Jul. 09, 2023
JAMES SESSIONS (IL, 1882-1962)
Est: $1,200 - $1,500
"Cap Breton, Nova Scotia, watercolor on Arches paper, depicting the center of the Canadian Maritime town, signed and with the location identified lower right, label verso from Old Colony Shop, Alexandria, Virginia, in mahogany and black molded frame, matted under UV plexi, OS: 21" x 25 1/2", SS: 15 1/2" x 19 1/2".
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
sold
Jul. 01, 2023
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $800 - $1,200
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) Watercolor and gouache on paper, Signed bottom right, measures 18 x 23 inches, w/frame 23 x 29 inches James Milton Sessions, born on September 20, 1882 in Rome, NY, received his initial exposure to art from his mother, who was an accomplished artist. He trained at the Art Institute of Chicago from 1903-1906 and initially supported himself as a wheelsman aboard Great Lakes ships from 1906-1914, later serving in the Illinois Naval Reserve during World War I. He also worked as a commercial illustrator. He was a master watercolorist of marine, sporting, and military World War II scenes. He developed a love of the sea and is probably best known as a painter of marine subjects. Sessions painted images of numerous locations, from the Bahamas to New England's busy fishing harbors, north to the raw fishing grounds of Nova Scotia, and ultimately to the Navajo reservations in New Mexico.
Cutler Bay Auctions
sold
May. 16, 2023
2 James Milton Sessions Maritime Paintings
Est: $600 - $1,200
James Milton Sessions (American, 1882-1962). Group of two watercolor on board naval paintings depicting boars on the ocean. Each signed along the lower right. One painting depicting figures aboard a boat being tossed by the sea, dated illegibly, likely ca. 1930s-40s. One painting depicting figures pulling a boat ashore, dated 1939 along the lower right.
Revere Auctions
sold
Apr. 28, 2023
James Sessions (1882-1962), watercolor.
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
Image measures 21" x 31". Signed lower left. Three flushing pheasants, hunter, and two dogs. Professionally framed and matted.
Guyette & Deeter
sold
Apr. 15, 2023
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $800 - $1,500
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) ,Watercolor on paper , Signed ,measures 8.5:" x 11"
Cutler Bay Auctions
sold
Apr. 09, 2023
James Sessions (IL,1882-1962) watercolor painting
Est: $650 - $800
ARTIST: James Milton Sessions (Illinois, 1882 - 1962) TITLE: Cityscape, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia MEDIUM: watercolor on paper CONDITION: Minor age toning. Framed under glass. ART SIZE: 16 x 20 inches / 40 x 50 cm FRAME SIZE: 21 x 26 inches / 53 x 66 cm SIGNATURE: lower right CATEGORY: old antique vintage painting for auction sale online AD: ART CONSIGNMENTS WANTED. CONTACT US SKU#: 123820 US Shipping $75 + insurance. BIOGRAPHY: James Milton Sessions was an American artist born in Rome, NY who received his first exposure to art from his mother, herself an accomplished artist. He trained at the Art Institute of Chicago from 1903-1906 and initially supported himself as a wheelsman aboard Great Lakes ships from 1906-1914, later serving in the Illinois Naval Reserve during World War I. He also worked as a commercial illustrator.Sessions was a master watercolorist of marine, sporting, and military World War II scenes. He developed a love of the sea and is probably best known as a painter of marine subjects. Sessions painted images of numerous locations, from the Bahamas to New England's busy fishing harbors, north to the raw fishing grounds of Nova Scotia, and ultimately to the Navajo reservations in New Mexico.Some of his works documented important World War II events. They visually portray and convey the spirit of the American fighting forces in both the Pacific and European campaigns, commencing with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, followed by D-Day Europe through to the final phases of the Pacific war, such as Jimmy Doolittle's daylight bombing raids of the Japanese mainland to the unconditional surrender of the Japanese military. The Chicago Tribune newspaper utilized his talents. Sessions is considered to be the greatest "brush reporter" of World War II. His works can be found in Presidential collections, numerous important corporate collections and military establishments throughout the country.Sessions created numerous wartime advertisements. Examples are a 1943 Willys Jeep ad showing the Coast Guard at Guadalcanal, and a Borg-Warner ad in 1945 showing the mass production of radiators and clutches for motorized warfare manufactured in Detroit. His work is highly collectible in the field of Militaria/WWII/1939-1945.In 1962 the New York Graphic Society commissioned him to make four paintings, reproductions of which were distributed as part of the Society's Works of Masters Group. Many of his other paintings have been reproduced over the years, issued as posters and as high quality reprints on watercolor paper.Sessions was married in Chicago, Illinois in 1946 to Chrysanthy G. Deamanthopulos. Although very prolific in the style of John Whorf and Ogden Pleissner, he unfortunately destroyed much of his own work. He died on November 14, 1962 in Chicago at the age of 80.His work has been exhibited or collected at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Fine Art, Milwaukee, and the Museum of Fine Art, Cleveland.
Broward Auction Gallery LLC
sold
Mar. 16, 2023
James M. Sessions (American 1882-1962): Pawtucket Inlet
Est: $300 - $500
watercolor on paper, signed lower left, titled to printed paper label verso
Abell Auction
sold
Feb. 26, 2023
JAMES MILTON SESSIONS (IL, 1882-1962)
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Schooner Crew Repairing the Sails, watercolor on Arches paper, signed lower left, in handcarved gilt Arts & Crafts style frame, under French-ruled mat, glazed, OS: 27 1/2" x 33", SS: 18" x 23 3/4", good condition.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
sold
Jan. 12, 2023
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $500 - $800
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) Watercolor on paper , Signed , measures
Cutler Bay Auctions
sold
Dec. 11, 2022
James Sessions (American, 1882-1962) Watercolor on Paper
Est: $200 - $300
James Sessions (American, 1882-1962) Watercolor on Paper Undated, signed lower right, genre scene depicting figure and homes, behind glass a linen-lined gold tone wood frame Property from: a Chicago, Illinois estate Category: Fine Art > American Paintings Estimated Sale Time: 11:36 am CST Shipping Status: Due to size, weight, value or shipping complexity, this item must be shipped via a 3rd Party and the shipping cost may be high. We recommend contacting multiple shipping vendors for an estimate as the cost may vary greatly. Sales Tax: California (7.25%), Florida (6%), Georgia (8.5%), Kansas (6.5%), New Jersey (6.625%), New Mexico (5.125%), New York (8.875%), Pennsylvania (6%), Washington (10.5%) Download High Resolution Photographs: Photograph #1 Photograph #2 Photograph #3 Photograph #4 Last modified: November 18, 2022, 2:19 pm
Leonard Auction
sold
Nov. 17, 2022
JAMES MILTON SESSIONS (American, 1882 - 1962). Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Watercolor on paper. Signed and titled lower right hand corner
Est: $400 - $600
JAMES MILTON SESSIONS (American, 1882 - 1962). Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Watercolor on paper. Signed and titled lower right hand corner. Framed. Not examined out of frame. - 16" x 20"; Frame: 21" x 26"
Sloans & Kenyon
sold
Nov. 13, 2022
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $500 - $5,000
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) Watercolor and gouache on paper , Signed , measures 18" x23 ", c /framed 23" x 29"
Cutler Bay Auctions
sold
Nov. 05, 2022
James Milton Sessions, Rounding the Windward, Poster
Est: $150 - $200
Artist: James Milton Sessions, American (1882 - 1962) Title: Rounding the Windward Year: Medium: Poster Image Size: Size: 21 x 27.5 in. (53.34 x 69.85 cm)
RoGallery
sold
Sep. 25, 2022
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American Watercolor on Paper Measure 10 1/2"in H x 15"in W and 18"in H x 22"in W with frame Known for: Outdoor genre, marine, illustration Known for: Outdoor genre, marine, illustration Biography: James M. Sessions: Born in Albany New York in 1882. Sessions followed his mother's example (She worked for Taft at the White House) and became a painter. He enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, after which he went on to become a major illustrator of the period and a WW II camouflage expert. Examples of his military paintings are to be found throughout the USA in Naval and Army and Marine Academies. Numerous Corporations own examples such as: Borg Warner, Chicago Tribune Newspaper, J. P. Speed Museum, KY. Many senior military officials also own works by the artist. Of note: James Sessions is the only American artist who at the time of the exhibit, during his lifetime was awarded a show of his painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. He later cooperated on the reproduction of many of his best Sporting and Military works while working in Chicago where he died in 1962.
Coral Gables Auction
sold
Sep. 21, 2022
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $800 - $1,200
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) Watercolor and gouache on paper , Signed , measures 18" x23 ", c /framed 23" x 29"
Cutler Bay Auctions
sold
Aug. 10, 2022
James Milton Sessions, Rounding the Windward, Poster
Est: $150 - $200
Artist: James Milton Sessions, American (1882 - 1962) Title: Rounding the Windward Year: Medium: Poster Image Size: Size: 21 x 27.5 in. (53.34 x 69.85 cm)
RoGallery
sold
Jul. 31, 2022
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American Watercolor on Paper Measure 10 1/2"in H x 15"in W and 18"in H x 22"in W with frame Known for: Outdoor genre, marine, illustration Known for: Outdoor genre, marine, illustration Biography: James M. Sessions: Born in Albany New York in 1882. Sessions followed his mother's example (She worked for Taft at the White House) and became a painter. He enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, after which he went on to become a major illustrator of the period and a WW II camouflage expert. Examples of his military paintings are to be found throughout the USA in Naval and Army and Marine Academies. Numerous Corporations own examples such as: Borg Warner, Chicago Tribune Newspaper, J. P. Speed Museum, KY. Many senior military officials also own works by the artist. Of note: James Sessions is the only American artist who at the time of the exhibit, during his lifetime was awarded a show of his painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. He later cooperated on the reproduction of many of his best Sporting and Military works while working in Chicago where he died in 1962.
Coral Gables Auction
sold
Jul. 30, 2022
James Sessions, Illinois (1882-1962), Battle Scene, watercolor on paper
Est: $400 - $500
James Sessions Illinois, (1882-1962) Battle Scene watercolor on paper signed lower right, framed.
Link Auction Galleries
sold
Jul. 27, 2022
James Milton Sessions ( 1882 - 1962) American
Est: $700 - $1,200
James Milton Sessions ( 1882 - 1962) American Watercolor & Gouache on paper measures 18 x 23 inches (with frame 23 x 29)
Cutler Bay Auctions
sold
Jul. 10, 2022
JAMES MILTON SESSIONS (IL, 1882-1962)
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Schooner Crew Repairing the Sails, watercolor on Arches paper, signed lower left, in handcarved gilt Arts & Crafts style frame, under French-ruled mat, glazed, OS: 27 1/2" x 33", SS: 18" x 23 3/4", good condition.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
sold
Jul. 05, 2022
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $800 - $1,200
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) Watercolor and gouache on paper , Signed , measures 18" x23 ", c /framed 23" x 29"
Cutler Bay Auctions
sold
Jun. 12, 2022
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
James Milton Sessions (1882 - 1962) American Watercolor on Paper Measure 10 1/2"in H x 15"in W and 18"in H x 22"in W with frame Known for: Outdoor genre, marine, illustration Biography: James M. Sessions: Born in Albany New York in 1882. Sessions followed his mother's example (She worked for Taft at the White House) and became a painter. He enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, after which he went on to become a major illustrator of the period and a WW II camouflage expert. Examples of his military paintings are to be found throughout the USA in Naval and Army and Marine Academies. Numerous Corporations own examples such as: Borg Warner, Chicago Tribune Newspaper, J. P. Speed Museum, KY. Many senior military officials also own works by the artist. Of note: James Sessions is the only American artist who at the time of the exhibit, during his lifetime was awarded a show of his painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. He later cooperated on the reproduction of many of his best Sporting and Military works while working in Chicago where he died in 1962.
Coral Gables Auction
sold
Jun. 05, 2022
James Milton Sessions
Est: $6,000 - $12,000
Pheasants Flushed 21" x 30", Watercolor, Signed Lower Left, with Authenticity Paperwork (original gallery receipt from 1986)
Jacksons Auction & Real Estate Company
sold
May. 20, 2022
JAMES MILTON SESSIONS (AMERICAN 1882-1962) WATERCOLOR ON PAPER, H 24" W 33" WWII AIRFIELD UNLOADING /JEEP
Est: $500 - $800
U.S. WWII Airfield, plane unloading with jeep in the foreground. Matted and Framed, Dimensions H33" W42". Signed lower right.
DuMouchelles