Seven works by Archibald Thorburn also to feature at auction
A ‘Female figure study’ by John Constable with a hidden history is to feature in the 19th Century Paintings sale on Thursday 22nd April at 11am, Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street.
A cutting from the Times of 1972 recounts how the drawing was discovered in the Ridley Colbourne album after it was bought by William Darby. When Darby was looking through the album, the previously hidden drawing came to light hidden underneath an invitation to a Royal Academy dinner. He suspected that the drawing may have been covered up by a previous Victorian owner of the album because of its ‘sensitive’ nude subject matter. It is expected to fetch £4,000-6,000.
Three other works by Constable are also for sale, including a pencil drawing of ‘The Grove, Hampstead’ (estimate £12,000-18,000). Constable regularly spent time in Hampstead on account of his wife’s ill health, and the family moved there in the 1820s.
Seven paintings by Archibald Thorburn featuring ptarmigan, pheasants, woodcock and grouse are another highlight of this auction. Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) was a Scottish artist with a life-long love of birds – he was Vice-President of the RSPB. His beautiful paintings of birds and wildlife with attractive and evocative countryside backgrounds have made him a popular choice for sportsmen, countrymen and birdlovers alike over the years. The seven examples on offer in this sale can be described as ‘classic’ Thorburns from his prime period in the 1920s, and they are in pristine condition. The works include ‘Ptarmigan calling in the snow’ (estimate £15,000-20,000), ‘Red Grouse packing’ (estimate £20,000-30,000) and ‘Ptarmigan seeking shelter’ (estimate £15,000-20,000).
Also in the sale is a painting entitled ‘Evening on the Grand Canal with Santa Maria della Salute in the distance’ by Emilio Sanchez-Perrier, (estimate £25,000-35,000), and ‘Evening-Concarneau’ by Terrick John Williams (estimate £20,000-30,000) as well as works by Ettore Simonetti, Eugenio Zamphigi and Raimundo de Madrazo y Garretta.
Charles O’Brien, Department Head, comments, “We are delighted with the consignments for this sale. There are fine works on offer by both Victorian and 19th century European artists and given the current strength of the market we are looking forward to another successful sale in April.”
www.bonhams.com/19thcentury
