HIDDEN CONSTABLE DRAWING NOW REVEALED FOR SALE AT BONHAMS
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.”
Bonhams
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest
auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further four throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com
