Old Masters, British & European Paintings - Day 1

CLICK HERE TO SEE DAY 2

DAY 1
Lots 1-24 - Portrait Miniatures
Lots 25-176 - Portrait Miniatures from the collection of the late Timothy Clowes
Lots 177-197 - Prints
Lots 198-300- Drawings and Watercolours

DAY 2
Lots 301-627 - Oil Paintings

Our March sale features over 600 lots of British and European pictures. Amongst the highlights are some excellent examples of British portraiture, including a pair by Francis Cotes of the noted goldsmith John Parker (of Parker and Wakelin) and his wife Mary (lot 390). They were painted in 1766, when Cotes was at the height of his powers, and rivalling Reynolds and Ramsay as one of the most fashionable portrait painters of the day.

One of the highlights of the European Old Master section is newly discovered picture by Luigi Garzi (lot 343), a leading figure in Roman Baroque painting. 19th-century European painting is particularly well represented, with notable works by Jules Breton (lot 556), Girolamo Gianni (lot 552), Adolf Schreyer (lot 554) and others.

John Smart was one of the greatest exponents of miniature painting in the 18th century. The auction includes one of his final works, and also presents a rare opportunity to see the finished miniature alongside its preliminary study (lots 9 & 10). There are also over 150 portrait miniatures from the collection of the late Timothy Clowes (lots 25-176).

Amongst the works on paper are five early examples of Edward Lear's bird pictures (lots 245-249). Dating from the period 1827-1830, Lear took familiar species and enhanced them with imaginative takes on aspects such as colours, feather patterns and habitats. Following on from the strong prices we achieved for her work in our August 2021 sale, this auction also features two beautiful watercolours by Helen Allingham (lots 263 & 264).