Modern British Art

Early works painted before an artist has adopted their signature style can make for intriguing viewing – especially if that artist is widely known.

Crane Kalman’s exhibition of paintings by the Modern British artist Stanley William Hayter (1901-88) unites a number of paintings never seen in the UK before.

LS Lowry’s industrial northern English city scenes, populated with his trademark ‘matchstick’ figures, have inspired many artists. Chief among them was Brian ‘Braaq’ Shields (1951-97), dubbed ‘Liverpool’s Lowry’.

When the opportunity arose to sell a small group of pictures by obscure local artist Bernard Myers (1925-2007), Krassi Kuneva of Chiswick Auctions (15/12% buyer’s premium) seized the chance.

In the early 1920s, the artist Dora Carrington (1893-1932) began creating a series of foil glass paintings.

Modern British art from a variety of movements dominated proceedings at the Spring Fine Art sale held at Tennants (17.5% buyer’s premium).

Panter & Hall holds an exhibition of the works of Alberto Morrocco (1917-1998) in its Pall Mall gallery this month.

During the later decades of the 20th century, post-war British artist Alan Davie (1920-2014) fell into relative obscurity. However, recent months have been eventful for the painter’s legacy.

The first Cotswolds Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair of the year comes to Westonbirt School this month. Running from April 13-15, the 29-year-old event hosts 43 dealers (fully booked), particularly those from around the west of England.

Lyon & Turnbull has appointed Philip Smith, former head of modern & post-war art and design at Mallams, to the newly created role of associate director for modern art and design.

A pair of trademark gouaches by Mary Fedden (1915-2012) drew strong bidding at auctions in Derbyshire and Essex.

A painting by the obscure Welsh artist James Dickson Innes (1887-1914) generated keen bidding at Essex saleroom Stacey’s (24% buyer’s premium) on February 26.

A picture by Bloomsbury Group painter Roger Fry (1886-1934) drew strong bidding at Holloway’s in Banbury.

In its current exhibition, Cornwall gallery Belgrave St Ives features the works of artists, many of whom are not usually associated with the coastal town in which the business specialises.

The Buckinghamshire countryside, with its rolling hills, fields, hedgerows and trees, inspired much of the art of John Nash (1893-1977), the younger and less well-known brother of Paul Nash.

When it comes to the business of selling middle-market collections, the big London salerooms are particularly adept at cherry-picking the best and rejecting the rest.