A number of six-figure sums have been recorded for his wavy abstracts at auction, especially in his homeland.
Born in Istanbul, he moved to Paris in 1947 and was heavily influenced by a form of abstract expressionism known as Tachism which involved applying spontaneous and vigorous brushstrokes and the chance effects of dripping and spilling paint onto the canvas.
With its practitioners and supporters believing it to be a more intuitive form of expression compared to the prevailing geometric abstraction that was more prominent at the time, a number of leading Parisian dealers such as Galerie Iris Clert started exhibiting Orhon’s output.
A 2ft 8in (80cm) square untilted oil on canvas which was signed and dated Mubin 1961 emerged at John Nicholson’s (25% buyer’s premium) of Haslemere, Surrey, on November 17.
The abstract study in blue looked fairly typical and was estimated at £3000-5000 but, such is the artist’s following, drew keen attention with a number of online bidders and one phone, selling to a French collector who won out at £15,000.
