Issuu

Modern British & Irish Art

This exceptional department casts a brilliant spotlight on the evolution of Modern British & Irish Art, tracing its trajectory from the late 19th century through to the cutting edge of the 21st century. Featuring an exquisite array of paintings, works on paper, and sculpture.

Our sales have included artists from significant moving and shaping movements in the Modern British & Irish Art auction.

From works by Augustus John and Gwen John, whose works reflect the changing mood of early modern Britain. The vibrant post-impressionism of the Bloomsbury Group - with Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, and Roger Fry - introduced bold colour and continental influence to British shores, laying vital foundations for future experimentation. Across this period, distinctive voices flourished, such as that of L.S. Lowry, with his unique industrial scenes and stylised figures, offered an iconic view of the working-class North.

As the century progressed, groups such as The London Group and Unit One fostered innovation, championing talents like Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, and Henry Moore - sculptors and painters who pushed the boundaries of form and abstraction.

Constructivism and Pop Art emerged with figures such as, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, whose works embraced the machine age and mass culture with critical insight and invention.

The Neo-Romantics, including Graham Sutherland and John Piper, responded to landscape and mythology with atmospheric depth. Meanwhile, the Cornish town of St Ives became a vital centre of post-war creativity: early modernists such as Alfred Wallis and Christopher Wood inspired a new generation, including Peter Lanyon, Sir Terry Frost, Bryan Wynter, Roger Hilton, and William Scott, who fused abstraction with the rugged spirit of the coast.

Simultaneously, the School of London and associated painters reaffirmed the human figure and psychological intensity as central to post-war British art. Artists like Lucian Freud, Frank Auerbach, and Sir William Coldstream, to name a few members, brought raw intimacy and technical rigour to their depictions of the human form. Past sales have featured significant results for artworks by these artists. Craigie Aitchison explored stillness and symbolism through vibrant colour, while Elisabeth Frink brought emotional power and vulnerability to the language of sculpture.

A separate but equally compelling narrative unfolded in Ireland. Our sales have offered strong examples by Irish artist including works by Sir John Lavery, Sir William Orpen, Mainie Jellett, Colin Middleton and Daniel O’Neill

A focus on women artists such as Eileen Agar, significantly bringing Surrealism into a British context and Mary Fedden, with her long career of intertwining familiar comforts of everyday life and the beauty of natural surroundings with the intriguing allure of exotic journeys and distant places.

Modern British & Irish Art remains as diverse as it is influential. Most notably, the sale of the 1970s crayon by David Hockney View from Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica, sands out as a Department highlight.

Contemporary artists such as Sir Grayson Perry and Marc Quinn continue to shape this vibrant narrative, infusing it with personal, political, and conceptual significance. The department have an excellent track record of selling important single owner collections, and emphasising the importance of each individual consignment, with fantastic financial results for our clients.

We are always open for consignments for inclusion in one of the three auctions hosted a year. For any further information please contact our department.

Notable Sales Recent

Sir Oswald Birely (British, 1880-1952)

Portrait of Dorothy, Lady Paterson (1889-1972) signed and dated 'Oswald Birley/1934' (upper right) oil on canvas 136 x 92.5 cm. (53 1/2 x 36 1/2 in.)

Estimate: £8,000 - 12,000

Sold for £44,100*

David Hockney O.M. C.H. R.A. (British, b.1937)

View from Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica

signed with initials and dated 'DH 1970' (lower right); titled 'View from Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica' (lower centre)

crayon and pencil

43.2 x 35.3 cm. (17 x 13 7/8 in.)

Provenance

With Kasmin Gallery, London

John Curtis

With Knoedler Gallery, London

Acquired by the present owner from their father, circa 2009

Exhibited

Paris, Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Palais du Louvre, David Hockney, Paintings and Drawings, 11 Oct-9 Dec 1974, cat.no.88

Estimate: £200,000 - 300,000

Sold for £403,200*

Dame

Barbara

Hepworth (British, 1903-1975)

1. Figure (Oread) (1958) signed ‘Barbara Hepworth’ (lower left) and annotated extensively (recto) pencil and white chalk 23 x 10.3 cm. (9 1/4 x 8 in.)

2. Ascending Form (Gloria) (1958) signed, titled and inscribed ‘Suggestion for/Ascending form/by Barbara/Hepworth/To be discussed/by telephone’ (upper left); further inscribed extensively (recto) pencil and pen

30.5 x 21 cm. (12 x 8 1/2 in.)

3. Sphere with Inner Form (1963) and Bronze Form (Patmos) (1963)

annotated extensively (recto) pencil 17 x 20 cm. (6 5/8 x 7 7/8 in.)

4. Curved Form with Inner Form (Anima) (1959), Reclining Form (Trewyn) (1959) and Coré (1955–6) signed ‘Barbra Hepworth’ (upper right); further signed with initials ‘BH’ (lower right); and inscribed extensively (recto and verso) pen

25 x 20 cm. (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.)

5. Two Forms in Echelon (1961) and Curved Form (Bryher II) (1961) inscribed extensively (recto) pen

20 x 12.5 cm. (7 7/8 x 4 7/8 in.) (all unframed) (5)

Estimate: £15,000 - £25,000

Sold for £25,200*

20 th Century British Figurative Art

L S Lowry R.A. (British, 1887-1976)

Hulme Place, Salford signed and dated 'L.S Lowry 1926' (lower left) pencil

26.7 x 36.5 cm. (10 1/2 x 14 3/8 in.) re purchased by the present owner

Estimate: £22,000 - 28,000

Sold for £27,500*

L S Lowry R.A. (British, 1887-1976)

Rhyl Harbour signed with initials and dated 'LSL 1924' (lower right) and inscribed 'Rhyl' (lower left) pencil

25.2 x 35. cm. (10 x 13 5/8 in.)

Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000

Sold for £22,500*

Gwen John (British, 1876-1939)

A Girl and Two Nuns in Church signed ‘Gwen John’ (lower right) gouache and watercolour 16 x 14 cm. (6 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.)

Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000

Sold for £8,820*

and Beyond

Bloomsbury

Roger Fry (British, 1866-1934)

Lalla Vandervelde oil on canvas

91.5 x 71 cm. (36 x 28 in.)

Painted in 1917

Estimate: £25,000 - 35,000

Sold for £30,000*

Edward Wadsworth A.R.A (British, 1889-1949)

Still Life with Chrysanthemums in a Vase signed ‘Wadsworth’. (lower right) oil on canvas

81.8 x 70.6 cm. (32 x 28 1/4 in.)

Painted in 1912

Sold for £18,900*

William Ratcliffe (British, 1870-1955)

The breakfast table signed ‘W. Ratcliffe.’ (lower right) oil on canvas

80 x 64 cm. (31 1/2 x 25 1/4 in.)

Sold for £22,000*

20 th Century British Modernist Sculpture

Henry Moore, O.M., C.H. (British, 1898-1986)

Standing Figure No. 2 bronze with a green patina on a slate base artist’s cast aside from the edition of 9 27 cm. (10 5/8 in.) high (excluding the slate base) Conceived in 1952

Sold for £20,000*

Lynn Chadwick, R.A. (British, 1914-2003)

Maquette III Two Winged Figures signed and numbered 2/6 (on the side of the wings)

bronze

26 cm. (10 1/2 in.) high

Estimate: £25,000 - 35,000

Sold for £47,500*

Denis Mitchell (British, 1912–1993)

Raith signed with initials, titled and dated DAM 1974 (underneath)

honister slate

38 cm. (15 in.) high (excluding base)

This work is unique

Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000

Sold for £12,600*

Dame Elisabeth Frink R.A. (British, 1930-1993)

Crouching Figure with Horse’s Head signed and dated ‘Frink 51’ (lower right) pen & ink and wash

75.5 x 56 cm. (29 3/4 x 22 in.)

Estimate: £12,000 - £18,000

Sold for £13,750*

Single-Owner Collections Successes with

Our record at auction with import single-owner collections have involved the following success.

An important private collection offered sold for 140% over the low estimate.

The total hammer for The Collection of the Late Peter Adam achieved over £240,000 and another significant Private Collection sold for over £650,00 in only 45 lots.

The Collection of

Peter Adam

David Attenborough described the late Peter Adam as “one of the key figures who helped to establish the character of BBC Two during its golden age.”

The works offered at Chiswick across multiple sales sum up perfectly Adam’s interest and involvement in the Modern British art scene during the second half of the 20th century. The collection as a whole contains works by ground-breaking Modern British artists, including Wyndham Lewis, joint founder of arguably one of Britian’s most radical movements in Vorticism, to Keith Vaughan and Prunella Clough, both of whom were close friends of Adam.

The collection as a whole sold for nearly 20% over the estimate and sold in excess of £240,000 at auction.

Keith Vaughan (British, 1912-1977)

Bending Figure bronze with a dark brown patina numbered and stamped with estate stamp ‘5/1 K.V.’ (beneath base) 20 cm. (7 7/8 in.) high

Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000 Sold for £13,750*

Keith Vaughan (British, 1912-1977)

Foreshore with Three Figures signed ‘Vaughan’ (lower right) oil on board

40.6 x 43.2 cm. (16 x 17 in.)

Painted in 1963

Sold for £42,500*

Keith Vaughan (British, 1912-1977)

Two Figures with a Snake signed, titled and dated ‘TWO FIGURES WITH A SNAKE/1973/Keith Vaughan’ (on the backboard verso) oil on board

29 x 32.5 cm. (11 3/8 x 12 3/4 in.)

Sold for £27,500*

Keith Vaughan (British, 1912-1977)

Two Seated Figures signed ‘Keith Vaughan’ (lower right); titled and dated ‘Two Seated Figures/1955’ (to a backboard) gouache and indian ink

24.7 x 19 cm. (9 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.)

Sold for £11,250*

Keith Vaughan (British, 1912-1977)

Two Seated Figures signed ‘Keith Vaughan’ (lower right); titled and dated ‘Two Seated Figures/1955’ (to a backboard)

gouache and indian ink

24.7 x 19 cm. (9 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.)

Sold for £11,250*

Prunella Clough (British, 1919-1999)

Prunella Clough (British, 1919-1999) Woman Minding Machine oil on canvas

62 x 51.2 cm. (24 3/8 x 20 1/4 in.)

Painted in 1953

Sold for £21,250*

Wyndam Lewis (British, 1882-1957)

Portrait of a Lady with a French Poodle signed ‘Wyndham Lewis’ (lower centre-right)

watercolour and pencil

36 x 23 cm. (14 x 9 in.)

Sold for £27,500*

Family of Christopher Fry Works from the

The works from the family of Christopher Fry have been offered at Chiswick Auctions across multiple sales. In our most recent offering, the collection achieved 264% over the low estimate.

Mary Fedden R.A. (British, 1915-2012)

Christopher’s Ghost signed with dedication and titled ‘Christopher’s Ghost. Love from Mary’ (lower left) watercolour

30.5 x 21 cm. (12 x 8 1/2 in.)

Estimate: £1,500 - 2,500

Sold for £5,292*

Algernon Cecil Newton A.R.A. (British, 1880-1968)

Canal near Paddington pen and brown ink and grey wash 35 x 48 cm. (14 x 18 1/2 in)

Estimate: £600 - 800

Sold for £12,000*

David Tindle, R.A. (British, b.1932)

Self-portrait signed and dated ‘’David Tindle/1956’ (lower right) oil on canvas

46 x 36 cm. 18 x 14 in.)

Estimate: £2,000 - 4,000 Sold for £14,000*

Inter-War Years

John Piper C.H. (British, 1903-1992)

Byland Abbey

signed and dated ‘John Piper/1940’ (lower right); further signed, inscribed and dated again ‘Byland Abbey/by/John Piper/For Basil &/Frances./Nov.1940’ (verso)

oil and pen and ink on canvas laid on board

30 x 25.4 cm. (11 3/4 x 10 in.)

Estimate: £30,000 - 50,000

Sold for £31,250*

John Piper C.H. (British, 1903-1992)

Bedroom Window, Carmarthen signed ‘John Piper’ (lower right) and titled ‘Bedroom window, Carmarthen’ (verso) watercolour, gouache, chalk, ink and wash 53.2 x 70 cm. (21 x 27 1/2 in.)

Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000

Sold for £23,750*

Graham Sutherland O.M. (British, 1903-1980)

Articulated Form

signed ‘G Sutherland’ (upper right) gouache

40 x 47 cm. (15 3/4 x 18 1/2 in.) Painted circa 1950

Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000

Sold for £16,380*

Graham Sutherland O.M. (British, 1903-1980)

Steel Ladle

signed and dated ‘Sutherland 42’ (lower right)

gouache, collage, pencil, pen & ink

21.5 x 20.3 cm. (8 1/2 x 8 in.)

Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000

Sold for £8,820*

Mainie Jellett (Irish, 1897-1944)

Composition

gouache

23 x 18 cm. (9 1/8 x 7 1/8 in.)

Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000

Sold for £20,000*

Irish Art

Colin Middleton R.H.A. (Irish, 1910-1983)

The Steps, Ardglass signed ‘Colin M’ (lower right); further signed and titled ‘The Steps, Ardglass/by/Colin Middleton’ (on a label attached to the frame) oil on canvas

66 x 76.3 cm. (26 x 30 in.)

Painted in 1949

Estimate: £12,000 - 18,000

Sold for £13,750*

Sir John Lavery R.A. R.S.A. R.H.A (Irish, 1856-1941)

The Moorish Dancer oil on panel

29.5 x 20.2 cm. (11 1/2 x 8 in.)

Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000

Sold for £7,500*

Championing Women Artists

Chiswick Auctions has established itself as a leading platform for Modern British Women artists, achieving remarkable success in recent years.

In recent history, the top ten works by women artists have collectively sold for more than £210,000 — a testament to the growing recognition and market strength of these talented voices.

Helen Bradley (British, 1900-1979)

On Saturday Evenings Mother Sang signed with fly insignia (lower right); oil on canvasboard

50.8 x 60.9 cm. (20 x 24 in.)

Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000

Sold for £36,250*

Eileen

Agar (British, 1899-1991)

A Sea Change signed ‘AGAR’ (lower left); further signed, titled and dated ‘EILEEN AGAR/A SEA CHANGE/1958’ (on a label attached to the stretcher) oil on canvas

63.5 x 82 cm. (25 x 32 1/8 in.)

Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000

Sold for £32,500*

Mary

Potter (British, 1900-1981)

Bandstand oil on board

36 x 60 cm. (14 x 23 3/4 in.)

Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000

Sold for £24,375*

Dame

Paula Rego R.A. (British/Portuguese, 1935-2022)

Wendy and Hook III signed ‘Paula Rego’ (lower left) watercolour and ink on paper

29.7 x 41 cm. (12 x 16 1/4 in.)

Executed in 1992

Estimate: £15,000 - 25,000

Sold for £20,000*

Dorothea Sharp R.B.A. R.O.I (British, 1874-1955)

Children paddling oil on board

25.4 x 35.4 cm. (8 1/4 x 13 7/8 in.) (unframed)

Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000

Sold for £10,710*

Sarah Ball (British, b.1965)

Unknown oil on panel 18 x 13 cm. (7 x 5 1/8 in.)

Estimate: £15,000 - 25,000

Sold for £16,250*

Mary Fedden Chiswick’s featured artist

A celebrated British artist, Mary Fedden, spent much of her later life in Chiswick, London, where she shared a studio with her husband, fellow artist Julian Trevelyan.

Fedden’s influence is evident and her legacy in Chiswick is preserved through her art and the community she was part of.

Her works continue to be celebrated and sought after in the art market, reflecting her enduring influence in British modernist art. If you’re interested in acquiring or learning more about Mary Fedden’s works, Chiswick Auctions remains a key venue for her art.

Mary Fedden O.B.E R.A. (British, 1915-2012)

The Fish Pot signed and dated ‘Fedden ‘82’ (lower right) oil on board

73 x 91 cm. (28 3/4 x 35 3/4 in.)

Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000

Sold for £23,750*

Mary

Fedden O.B.E R.A. (British, 1915-2012)

The Offering signed and dated ‘Fedden 1997’ (lower left) oil on canvas

101.5 x 127 cm. (40 x 50 in.)

Estimate: £15,000 - 25,000

Sold for £19,530*

Mary Fedden O.B.E R.A. (British, 1915-2012)

Still life with volcano signed and dated ‘Fedden ‘08’ (lower left) oil on canvas

50 x 60 cm. (19 7/8 x 23 5/8 in.)

Estimate: £7,000 - 10,000

Sold for £12,600*

Post-War to present

Craigie Aitchison R.A. (British, 1926-2009)

Crucifixion inscribed and dated ‘Crucifixion 1983’ (on the canvas overlap verso) oil on canvas

152.5 x 101.5 cm. (60 x 40 in.)

Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 Sold for £42,500*

Sir Grayson Perry (British, b.1960)

Perversion/Apathy/Arrogance/Selfishness/Ego/Hypocrisy signed with the artist’s initials, titled, and with the artist’s Potter’s Mark glazed earthenware

33.5 x 17.5 x 17.5 cm. (13 3/16 x 6 7/8 x 6 7/8 in.)

Executed in 1987 (unique)

Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000

Sold for £12,600*