Modern British Art

Rarely seen in public before, this signed 18in x 2ft (45 x 65cm) gouache is one of the earliest works by the British Modernist painter John Armstrong (1893-1973).

A bid of £5000 from a Contemporary art gallery in London secured this post-war portrait by the writer and Vorticist painter Wyndham Lewis (1882-1957).

Two Frances Hodgkins (1869-1947) gouache watercolours painted during her artistic prime were taken to multi-estimate sums at separate UK salerooms in the same week.

Way before the TV comedy series artist Gilbert Spencer was depicting the Home Guard.

A Post-Impressionist painting of a horse-drawn hansom cab by Robert Bevan (1865-1925) was one of the headline lots at the Modern British art sales in London.

When this portrait of a young woman was first exhibited in the early 1930s, critics remarked on its “intensity and vital quality”, “the charming head” and the “wonderful life-like expression”.

The British Art Fair (BAF) is to return to its previous dates in late September.

A spate of early to mid-20th century portraits of society figures and important personalities generated stiff competition at UK sales in London and the regions.

Group of works from the Cornish school underpins a positive Modern British offering

A group of “historically important” watercolour and pencil drawings of the London Blitz sparked a bidding war at Cirencester saleroom Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).

As his reputation began to grow in the early 1940s, Michael Ayrton (1921-75) embarked on a series of melancholic paintings in the Neo-Romantic style.

A portrait of a mystery sitter by Ambrose McEvoy (1877-1927) sold at auction nearly four years ago led dealer Philip Mould to uncover a forgotten stash of works by the neglected British artist in a lock-up.

At various stages of painting 'Pear Still Life' (1971), Craigie Aitchison (1926-2009) included a golden bird, a yellow rose and constellation of five-pointed stars.

'Lights o’ London – Glasshouse Street by Piccadilly Circus' is among more than 20 works by Rex Vicat Cole (1870-1940) and his son John on offer at a show featuring depictions of the capital spanning 200 years.

Our weekly selection from salerooms.

Simple still-life of flowers showcases the Mod Brit artist’s love of colour and luminosity

A 1940s view of Swansea described as ‘historically important’ by the auction house which sold it featured among some good results for 20th century Welsh art in the regions.

Morris record takes the headlines but his pupil is also in demand at same sale.