AUCTION HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS

BRITISH PAINTINGS

Rohan McCulloch introduces some of the interesting artworks auctioned this August at Elstob & Elstob

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he art market is very strong at the moment, says Rohan McCulloch,

Paintings and Sculpture Specialist at

Ripon auctioneers Elstob & Elstob.

“During lockdown many people turned their attention to improving their homes, and are now getting rid of items they’ve decided they no longer want. We’re also finding that private collectors are buying artworks at auction rather than going via a dealer.” “Contemporary British art has been selling well for a long time, but until recently the demand for more traditional British art was a little subdued. Now it’s making a comeback and is increasingly sought after.”

Rohan picked out a selection of interesting examples from a sale of paintings and sculptures at Elstob & Elstob this August, starting with a 17th-century British School portrait of a gentleman hunter.

“Portraits are very popular at the moment,” says Rohan. “And portraits – of all eras – are definitely my favourite kind of paintings! This is a great picture, and it would make an excellent addition to a collection. It has ‘the look’.

“The gentleman in question was obviously a proud hunter, and keen to be shown as such. He has been depicted with a certain honesty – there’s no attempt at flattery – and this adds to the picture’s charm. But who he is, and who painted the picture, are mysteries.”

Hunting is also the theme of the second painting Rohan picks out: Foxhounds at Rest by George Wright. “George Wright was born in Leeds in 1860, one of seven children, five of whom became professional artists,” says Rohan. “He is famous for his hunting scenes and equestrian heads. He was a fox hunter himself, so he really knew his subject.

“From 1925 onwards Wright produced work for the Grand Central Galleries in New York, and he has a big following in the USA. This is a lovely painting in very good condition – one of the highlights of the sale.”

Hen Harrier by George Edward Lodge is another closely observed animal portrait. “Lodge was born in Lincolnshire in 1860,” says Rohan. “He was schooled at home and learned taxidermy, which obviously helped his understanding of animals, before attending the Lincoln School of Art.”

Lodge had a lifelong interest in falconry and specialised in paintings of birds. When he died in 1954 his obituary in The Times opined that “in the painting of birds of prey, he had no rival in any country.” Like George Wright, his works are nowadays highly sought both here and in the USA.

Closer to home, the Staithes Group of artists, inspired by the French Impressionists, put the North Yorkshire fishing village of Staithes on the international art map at the turn of the 20th century. On the Lookout by Fred Mayor is an excellent example of their work.

“Nothing by Mayor has been seen for several years,” says Rohan. “This example has come from a private collection. It’s a very accomplished watercolour of an appealing subject by a well-known artist. It’s one of my favourites in the sale.”

Moving from Yorkshire to Scotland – and from watercolour to oil on canvas – brings us to On Loch Etive by Alfred Fontville de Breanski.

“The moody landscapes of de Breanski, and these kinds of pictures in general, are doing very well at the moment,” says Rohan. “Breanski’s father, mother and uncle were all accomplished painters who worked in the same media and depicted similar subject matter.

“Breanski has captured the atmosphere of the scene perfectly, and this is a picture that has been well looked after and whose colours are still very strong.”

To finish with something in a rather more modern style we have the lively and colourful oil on canvas Menuhin Conducts by Alberto Morrocco. “Morrocco was a Scottish artist,” says Rohan, “and his paintings do very well at auction. I collect Scottish artists myself, and I own some of his work.

“Morrocco trained at Grays School of Art in the 1930s. He travelled and studied in France, Italy and Switzerland, and was strongly influenced by Braque and Picasso.

“This painting is undated, but Morrocco painted another study of Menuhin performing dated 1971, so it’s possible that this work dates from the same year.” For more information about auctions at Elstob & Elstob visit elstobandelstob.co.uk or call 01765 699200. The next Pictures & Sculpture sale is on the 30th November, deadline for entries is the 9th November.

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1. On Loch Etive by Alfred Fontville de Breanski (1877–1957). Not sold. 2. On the Lookout by Fred Mayor (1865–1916). Sold for £1,708. 3. Foxhounds at Rest by George Wright (1860–1942). Sold for £6,000. 4. Hen Harrier by George Edward Lodge (1860–1954). Sold for £2,928. 5. 17th-century British School portrait of a gentleman hunter. Sold for £2,318. 6. Menuhin Conducts by Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998). Sold for £1,952. All paintings sold by Elstob & Elstob.