CAMBRIDGE.- A record auction price for a work by the late Norfolk artist Gwyneth Johnstone (1914-2010) was achieved at Cheffins’ February Art & Design Sale when Living at Barnsbury Terrace sold for £13,000.

The price achieved highlights an increasing popularity of work by Johnstone, who died in 2010 at the age of 95, particularly at recent Cheffins Fine Art sales.

The oil painting, 121 x 182 cm. in size which had an estimate of £4,000-£6,000, depicts the period when Gwyneth and her mother owned a pair of houses in Islington, north London, during the 1950s and is a busy composition which includes some of the tenants that rented rooms at the house in the picture.

Johnstone was the daughter of Augustus John, one of the most renowned artists of the 20th century, and Nora Brownsword, who was seduced by John while modelling for him.

John already had seven children and Gwyneth remained with her mother and the pair were inseparable. As well as their Norfolk home, they owned homes in London, France and Spain and Gwyneth was buried alongside her mother in a ruined church at Great Hautbois, near Coltishall in Norfolk.

Brett Tryner, director at Cheffins Fine Art, said: “Gwyneth Johnstone’s work is becoming increasingly popular and this was a wonderfully busy composition that details an interesting time in her life living at Barnsbury Terrace.

“Gwyneth had a long career as an artist and was working and exhibiting up until the last few weeks of her life. Anyone who owns a painting by her should certainly be heartened by the increased interest in her work.”

The full results from the Art & Design Sale can be found on Cheffins’ website.