We were delighted to present a range of stunning artworks in our Summer Art Sale – a curated and diverse range of works that spanned three centuries of British, European and international art. From late Georgian studies to bold modernist compositions, the sale drew strong interest from collectors across the UK and beyond, with many works exceeding expectations and several achieving landmark results.
Among the undoubted stars of the sale was a floral still life attributed to Dame Ethel Walker DBE ARA. Mixed Bouquet, a richly worked oil on canvas with multiple exhibition labels verso, soared to £24,500 – establishing a new world auction record for the artist. This significant result reflects the increasing recognition of Walker’s contribution to early British modernism and the demand for her distinctive, expressive style.
Another notable floral study came in the form of James Bolivar Manson’s Sweet Sultans and Marigolds, almost certainly appearing in the artist’s 1945 Royal Academy exhibit. Realising £3,700, the painting attracted interest not only for its exhibition history but also for the distinctive blue-and-white jug depicted – the same vessel that appears in Manson’s 1940 Royal Academy work Tulips and Daffodils. This continuity of studio props helps firmly situate the painting within the artist’s Royal Academy period and adds to its art historical value.