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  • Posts Tagged ‘George Stubbs’

    STUBBS COMMISSIONED BY AN IRISH PEER IN 1789

    Monday, December 4th, 2017

    George Stubbs, A.R.A. LIVERPOOL 1724 – 1806 LONDON TWO BAY HUNTERS IN A PADDOCK  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Irish interest in Sotheby’s Old Masters evening sale in London on December 6 will centre on a 1789 work by George Stubbs (1724-1806). Two Bay Hunters in a Paddock was commissioned by the Irish peer Arthur Annesley, 8th Viscount Valentia.  It is estimated at £1.5-2 million.  Highlights of the sale include one of the last and most important candlelight pictures by Joseph Wright of Derby left in private hands, a luminous 18th-century view of Venice by Bellotto, two recently rediscovered landscapes by Constable, and a gallery of portraits covering 300 years, from Cranach and Titian to Van Dyck.

    Alex Bell, Worldwide Co-Chairman of Sotheby’s Old Master Paintings Department: “Strong imagery, luminous works and great names have long been driving the Old Masters market but in the last couple of years, we have witnessed a surge of interest in Early Renaissance and high Renaissance paintings among international collectors. With their simple and striking imagery, these works often find their way in very eclectic collections. We are therefore delighted that nearly half of the works in the sale consist of Renaissance pictures. We are also privileged to present rare works by three of the greatest and most influential British artists of the 18th century whose work transcends national boundaries and speaks to a wider global sensibility: Constable, Wright of Derby and Stubbs.”

    MASTERPIECE BY STUBBS AT CHRISTIE’S

    Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

    Gimcrack by Stubbs. (Click to enlarge) © Christie’s Images UPDATE: IT MADE £22,441,250

    A masterpiece of British art will be offered by Christie’s next July.  Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath, with a Trainer, a Stable-Lad, and a Jockey by George Stubbs (1724-1806) depicts one of the most popular and admired of all 18th century racehorses. From the collection of Lord Woolavinton, a whisky magnate, it is expected to make more than £20 million. The painting measures more than six feet across.

    John Stainton, Senior Director of British Pictures, Christie’s said: “This is a truly exceptional example of 18th century painting which holds immense importance on many levels – as an Old Master picture, as a great masterpiece of British Art, and as one of the finest sporting pictures ever painted”.

    Richard Knight, International co-head of Old Master and 19th Century Art at Christie’s said: “The sale of this masterpiece will be a cornerstone moment in the history of Christie’s. It is telling that as a result of the global nature of the 21st century art market, Stubbs, a very British artist, is set to join a small and select group who represent the most valuable old master artists ever sold, placing him alongside Raphael, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Turner.”
    Commissioned by Frederick St. John, 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke the work was painted in 1765.  Gimcrack won an impressive 28 of his 36 races was was unplaced only once. The painting will be offered at the Old Master and British Paintings evening sale In London on July 5.  The current auction record for Stubbs is £10.1 million paid at Sotheby’s last year for Brood Mare and Foals.
    UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £22,441,250
    See antiquesandartireland.com for December 11, 2010.