An auction of Scottish art held in Edinburgh on Thursday by fine art auctioneers, Lyon & Turnbull, achieved almost £2 million, an impressive figure showing the demand for Scottish paintings and sculpture.
The appetite for Scottish Colourists paintings in particular was strong, with F.C.B. Cadell’s sun-drenched Cassis, le Port leading the sale by achieving £287,700, against an estimate of £150,000 – £200,000.
Other Colourist work which sold yesterday included S.J.Peploe’s striking Still Lifewith Tulips (£225,200) and G. L. Hunter’s leisurely Après le Bain (£67,700), whilst so-called ‘Fifth Colourist’ John Maclauchlan Milne’s vibrant Wine Boats, St Tropez soared to £93,950.
Further highlights were Glasgow Girl Bessie MacNicol’s appealing The Lilac Sunbonnet, which sold for £55,200, while a prime example of one of Joan Eardley’s Glasgow street children, Portrait of Jimmie, went for £45,200.
A companion pair of portraits by sought-after Scottish artist Allan Ramsay, of King George III and his wife Queen Charlotte of Bridgerton fame, achieved £77,700 after fierce bidding.
A world-record price for William Strang’s work was achieved for his chic Girl with Fan, which was acquired for £53,950, thanks to determined bidding on-line and on the telephone.
Nick Curnow, Head of Fine Art at Lyon & Turnbull, said: “The view from the rostrum was of a busy saleroom, with spirited phone bidding and on-line participation. This auction heralds a happy return to pre-lockdown levels of in-person attendance, accompanied by ever-broadening international bidding.
“The sale total of £1.875 million demonstrates a clear passion for Scottish art amongst collectors across continents. Lyon & Turnbull is leading the way in this market, offering works of beauty and art historical significance in our biannual flagship auctions.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
