NEW YORK, NY.- On Thursday, September 21, Swann Galleries offers a large selection of 19th & 20th Century Prints & Drawings at auction. The two-session sale is divided into sections devoted to 19th century prints and drawings, American works, and modern European prints and drawings.

Two extraordinary drawings by renowned artists appear in the afternoon session. One of Pablo Picasso’s earliest drawings, Portrait de femme, pen and dark brown ink, circa 1900 ($30,000 to $50,000), begins a fine run of works by the artist. Another highlight is Henri Matisse’s Jeune femme assise (Monique), pen and black ink, 1942 ($200,000 to $300,000)--the sitter was the catalyst in convincing Matisse to design the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence.

The auction opens with 125 19th century prints and drawings. Highlights of these include Mary Cassatt’s drypoint, Hélène of Septeuil, circa 1890 (estimate $10,000 to $15,000); two lithographs by Claude Monet and George W. Thornley, circa, 1892, Bâteaux sur la plage ($15,000 to $20,000) and Paysage aux montagnes ($12,000 to $18,000); and Paul Signac’s important color lithograph, Saint-Tropez: Le Port, 1987-98 ($20,000 to $30,000).

A large section of Modern American prints and drawings features 25 lithographs by Thomas Hart Benton, including Frankie and Johnnie, 1936 ($7,000 to $10,000), Minstrel Show, 1934 ($4,000 to $6,000), I Got a Gal on Sourwood Mountain, 1938 ($3,000 to $5,000) and The Music Lesson, 1943 ($2,500 to $3,500). Also of note in the American section is a superb impression of Benton Spruance’s Riders of the Apocalypse, lithograph, 1943 ($20,000 to $30,000).

The sale concludes with over 200 modern European works. Fine examples in etching are on display with Marc Chagall’s etching and drypoint, Selbstbildnis mit lachendem Gesicht, 1924-25 ($15,000 to $20,0000) and Salvador Dalí’s etching, St. George and the Dragon, 1947 ($12,000 to $18,000).

Rounding out the sale is a broad display of works by Pablo Picasso. Mid-career works include L’Homme au Chien, etching, 1914 ($20,000 to $30,000) and Méléagre tue le Sanglier de Calydon, pencil, circa 1930 ($40,000 to $60,000). Finally, a selection of color linoleum cuts from Picasso’s desirable later years, including Femme endormie, 1962 ($20,000 to $30,000); Femme nue assise, 1962 ($20,000 to $30,000); and Femme nue debout, 1963 ($20,000 to $30,000) end the day.

The first session of the auction will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 21. The sale will continue after a lunch break at 2:30 p.m. The works will be on public exhibition from Sat., Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Mon. through Wed., Sept. 13 to 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thurs., Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to noon; Fri, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat., Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Mon., Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.