Modern British & 20th Century Art - 2nd June 2026
Lot 185
Φ Bernard Cohen (b.1933)
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000 | Hammer £4064
Inc. Buyers Premium
Description
Bernard Cohen (b.1933)
Style VI
Signed, dated and inscribed BERNARD COHEN/STYLE VI/OCTOBER 1963 (to reverse)
Tempera on canvas
91.5 x 91.5cm
Unframed
Provenance:
Kasmin Limited, London;
The Collection John Acton OBE (1932-2017), by 1968;
Sold on behalf of the Estate of Mrs J. Acton (Lots 185-193)
Exhibited:
Delhi, The British Council 1st Triennale, 1968
LOTS 185-193 - THE COLLECTION OF JOHN ACTON OBE
John Acton OBE (1932-2017), was the British council’s representative to Delhi in the mid to late 1960s. It was there that he and his wife Joy hosted Howard Hodgkin who painted Mrs Acton in Delhi and a portrait of John and Joy Acton entitled The Terrace, Delhi.
From the late 1950s, and throughout the 1960s, he was involved in the London art scene where he was friends with David Hockney, Eduardo Paolozzi, Bernard Cohen and others. Throughout his career with the British Council he welcomed artists to the countries he was posted to, including a visit to São Paulo by Gilbert and George, in the early 1980s. He was made Deputy Controller of the British Council's Art’s Division and Director of the Music Department in 1980.