James Barry (1741-1806) – Male Nude (£20,000-30,000) Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2016 UPDATE: THIS MADE £70,000 AT HAMMER A RECORD FOR A DRAWING BY THE ARTIST
A work by the Irish artist James Barry has turned up in the collection of Brian Sewell the renowned and controversial art critic, award-winning journalist and author. Christie’s sale devoted to Brian Sewell: Critic & Collector will take place in London on September 27. Brian Sewell (1931-2015) worked at Christie’s as an auction house picture expert for almost nine years, between 1958 and 1967, having graduated in Art History at the Courtauld Institute. Acquired over many decades, approximately 200 lots will be offered for sale from the collection, including important Old Master Paintings and Drawings and 19th and 20th century British Art. The works carry estimates ranging from under £1,000 to £600,000.
Born in Cork James Barry (1741-1806) studied painting under John Butts and early in his career was patronised by Edmund Burke. Noted as one of the earliest Romantic painters working in Britain he studied in Paris and Rome and influenced artists like William Blake. He is best remembered for his six part series of paintings on The Progress of Human Culture in the Great Room of the Royal Society of Arts, London.
Orlando Rock, Christie’s UK Chairman: “Brian Sewell was, undoubtedly, one of Christie’s most colourful and learned former colleagues. What always motivated him was his love of great art and its power to move and inspire, combined with his characteristic and acerbic wit.”
Noël Annesley, Honorary Chairman, Christie’s UK: “Brian was a young man of 27 when he joined Christie’s. As his assistant, I got to admire him and to like him enormously. He evolved from a rather shy, cerebral art historian turned auction house expert into one of the most famous and widely read British art critics of our time. Brian was a man whose opinions were sought not just on art but on a wide variety of topics, reflecting the exceptional range of his interests. He could be relied upon to provide witty and often devastating judgements. A wonderful instructor, serious but humorous too, he set a standard for us all.”
Brian Sewell’s much loved work by Matthias Stomer (circa 1600 – after 1652?)
Blowing Hot, Blowing Cold
(£400,000-600,000) CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2016 UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
A double-sided painting by Duncan Grant (1885-1978)
Still Life, Charleston (recto) and Reclining male Nude (verso)
£20,000- 30,000 Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2016 UPDATE: THIS MADE £56,250
Daniele da Volterra (1509-1566)
Dido reclining, asleep
(£50,000-80,000) Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2916 UPDATE: THIS MADE £660,000
Brian Sewell in Christie’s warehouse, circa 1962
