Polly is an expert in European paintings and drawings from the 19^th century. She started her career as an Assistant at the Department of European Paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of art.  Hired in 1984 as a Specialist in 19^th Century Paintings for Christie’s New York, Polly has had a stellar career, becoming in 1998 Senior Director in the Department of Impressionist and 19^th Century European Paintings. In 2000, Polly joined Sotheby’s New York as Senior Vice-President and Director of the Department of 19^th Century European Art.

During her tenure at both Christie’s and Sotheby’s, Polly never left her specialty: 19^th century European paintings. She organized almost a hundred auction sales in this area. 

Her hands-on experience and personal taste led her to develop a deep knowledge on Naturalism. She has handled numerous works by naturalist artists, including Émile Friant, as well as Jules Bastien-Lepage, Jules Breton, Léon Lhermitte, Jean-François Raffaelli, among others. In 2005, Polly was thrilled to discover a lost, emblematic work by Émile Friant Ombres portées, which she sold at Sotheby’s New York, and is now in the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.

In February 2016, Polly, eager for a career change, joined collector Eric Weider to found Gallery 19C, a gallery specializing in 19^th century European  art. An early picture by Émile Friant, Les artistes Mathias Schiff et Camille Martin dans la campagne, as well as several other naturalist-inspired works, are currently in the gallery’s inventory. Polly’s experience and knowledge are a major asset for the A.E.F.

Translated from French to English by Ms Agnès Penot