NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s International, the world’s leading art business, announces new appointments to the firm’s American Paintings team for 2012. The following staff advancements will strengthen the team’s reach and reinforce the firm’s position as the auction house of choice among both new and established collectors worldwide.

Effective immediately, Eric Widing has joined the team of senior business getters in the Americas Chairman’s Office as a Deputy Chairman. Eric joined Christie’s in 1998 and was most recently Head of the Department. During his tenure, the department has set auction records in every category of American Art, including individual artist records for Thomas Eakins, Childe Hassam, Thomas Moran and Georgia O’Keeffe.

He has been in the appraisal business since 1981 and from 1996-1998 he was an owner of Widing and Peck Fine Art Inc. From 1985-1996 he was the Executive Director of the Richard York Gallery, New York, and from 1981-1985 he was the Associate Director of the Ira Spanierman Gallery, New York. Eric earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and American Civilization at Williams College, where he graduated with honors, and received the Karl E. Weston prize in Art History.

Elizabeth Sterling has been promoted to Head of Department. Since 2004, Liz has been a leading member of the American Paintings department and has steadily contributed to its success. She has played a critical role in bringing in major business and supporting both auction and private sales and will continue to strengthen the department by focusing on establishing collaborative relationships both internally and externally to grow market share. Prior to joining Christie’s, Liz was an associate at Linda Hyman Fine Arts, New York.