The French Impressionist and Modern paintings from the collection of George, 9th Earl of Jersey (1910-1998) at Sotheby’s in London on February 5 and 6 are on the market for the first time in 70 years. It contains outstanding examples of works by Monet, Sisley, Pissarro, Gauguin, Boudin and Dufy. Born into a family already well endowed with great houses and estates and their respective collections of art – the most famous of which was Osterley Park – he sensed that his other properties already had enough Old Masters and wanted to bring the family collection up to date.
The catalyst to Grandy Jersey’s decision to buy French Impressionism was the influence of his second wife, the American actress Virginia Cherrill, whom he married in 1937. She had enjoyed a glamorous film career, playing opposite Charlie Chaplin in City Lights (1931) and then marrying Cary Grant. She was also a close friend of Edward G. Robinson. Hollywood’s love affair with Impressionist painting embraced moguls, directors and stars, but the most serious collector was Robinson who put together a very fine group of pictures, the pick of which later passed into the Niarchos Collection.
When filming in London in 1935, Robinson called at the Lefevre Gallery to look at their stock. He established a lasting relationship with them. When Cherrill came to London it is likely that, on Robinson’s recommendation, she directed her new British husband to the same dealers. Sotheby’s say further sales of furniture and works of art from the Collection will take place later in the year.
CLAUDE MONET (1840 – 1926) LE GIVRE À GIVERNY (£4-6 million). (Click on images to enlarge them). UPDATE: THIS MADE £8,777,250, A NEW RECORD FOR A SHOWCAPE BY MONET
PAUL GAUGUIN (1848 – 1903) LA MAISON BLANCHE (£800,000-£1,200,000). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
ALFRED SISLEY (1839 – 1899) LA TAMISE AVEC HAMPTON CHURCH (£900,000-£1,200.000). UPDATE: THIS MADE £1,889,250