Modern British Art

Ever since the auction record for David Jagger (1891-1958) was more than doubled six years ago by the striking portrait The Conscientious Objector, works by the elusive artist have been a highly valuable proposition.

Sale of works owned by the Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham reflects strong connections with other St Ives artists.

The strong prices for Modern British female artists keep rolling on. Among the notable results in the regions recently was a beach scene by Dorothea Sharp (1874-1955) that was among the star performers at Parker Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).

“From then on, nothing went right. My carpet designs were rejected and my textiles were not required."

Connecting two of Britain’s leading 20th century female artists, a pencil drawing by Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-75) given to Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912-2004) as a wedding present was the highlight of Lyon & Turnbull’s recent auction of works from the latter’s collection.

Among Gilbert Ledward’s (1880-1960) most admired works is the sensuous nude, 'Awakening' or 'The Awakening', that today stands in Ropers Garden on the Chelsea Embankment.

Martin Heaps is the founder and owner of Collect Art in Lymm near Warrington.

The artist John Maclauchlan Milne (1885-1957) is sometimes referred to as ‘The Fifth Colourist’ due to the way he followed in the Post-Impressionist tradition of fellow Scottish painters Peploe, Fergusson, Cadell and Hunter.

A small picture by a giant of the 20th century Scottish art market captivated both domestic and overseas buyers at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Modern and Contemporary art sale.

Your starter for 10 – can you identify the artist of these still-lifes? Samuel Peploe, right?

Works by the Scottish Colourists led the day as expected at Bonhams’ (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) latest Scottish art sale in Edinburgh but the slightly muted demand that emerged meant it was not always plain sailing.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Scottish Colourist Samuel John Peploe (1871-1935), Lyon & Turnbull’s sale of Scottish Paintings & Sculpture auction on December 9 will have a special focus on the artist.

The top two UK auction houses have announced a string of high-profile consignments coming to auction in the autumn/winter season.

It has been a busy season for ornithological favourite Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) with a number of quality pictures previously sold by leading dealers reappearing at auction and attracting keen interest.

A “vanishingly rare” oil by Barnett Freedman (1901-58) showing a newly liberated Normandy town shortly after D-Day is among the star exhibits at the Winter Art & Antiques Fair at Olympia in London.

Small bronzes form part of a group of sculptures underlining the market demand at regional salerooms.