LONDON.- A new world record at auction for a work by the British surrealist painter Ithell Colquhoun (1906-1988) was set at
Bonhams Blazing a Trail sale in London last week. Still Water sold for £53,200 having been estimated at £5,000-8,000. This surpassed the previous world auction record of £37,750 for the artist’s work established for Battle Fury of Cuchullin at last year’s Blazing a Trail sale.
Other world auction records included.
• Artist with a Seagull by Audrey Cruddas (1912-1979). Sold for £6,575 (estimate: £2,000-3,000)
• A View of Highbury by Helen Lessore (1907-1994). Sold for £5,523 (estimate £1,500-2,000)
• Composition on Black and Green with Two Cups by Rachel Nicholson (b 1934) sold for £5,523 (estimate £1,500-2,000)
Janet Hardie, Bonhams Senior Specialist in Modern British and Irish Art said: “The objective of our Blazing a Trail sale is to shine a spotlight on 20th century British women artists whose work may have been underappreciated in the past. The new auction world records set in this sale demonstrate that, given the opportunity, collectors are more than willing to take a fresh look at unfamiliar names.”
Other highlights of the sale included:
• Two works by Vanessa Bell (1879-1961). Still Life with Roses sold for £69,600 (estimate: £18,00-20,000) and Street Scene in Tuscany sold for £44,400 (estimate: £18,000-20,000).
• The Circus by Leonora Carrington (1917-2011). Sold for £53,200 (estimate £5,000-7,000).
