Press

The 21 June auction of Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design presents an impressive selection of paintings including three works of art by Nicolae Gregorescu, consigned by the descendants of the former Romanian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Viorel Tilea. (154.17 KB)

The market for international works remains strong with Sotheby’s Australia facilitating the sale of two paintings by Russian artist Ivan Fedorovich Choultsé in London and a daybed by Maria Pergay in New York. Consigned from private collections in Melbourne and Sydney, these works were assessed by international colleagues and consigned to Sotheby’s London’s Russian Pictures sale and Sotheby’s New York’s Important Design auction. (130.56 KB)

Significant examples of 20th century European design will be auctioned by Sotheby’s Australia on 21 June in Sydney. Included are works of exquisite craftsmanship and vision, highlighting the foray into the modern age and advancement beyond the Victorian era. (116.32 KB)

On 3 May 2017 Sotheby’s Australia will host an exceptional sale of Australian Art from the private collection of Mr David Newby, a successful businessman who has enjoyed a distinguished international career. Estimated at $2.7 million to $3.6 million, The David Newby Collection of Australian Art includes paintings by Australia’s leading Impressionists Frederick McCubbin, John Russell and Arthur Streeton, through to masterpieces of Australian Modernism by Arthur Boyd, Ray Crooke, Jeffrey Smart, Albert Tucker and Fred Williams. (300.42 KB)

The most significant private loan exhibition ever staged in Australia of paintings by Sidney Nolan will be launched at Sotheby’s Australia’s Sydney premises on Monday 27 March. Coinciding with and celebrating 100 years since the birth of the artist Sidney Nolan: A Centenary Exhibition: Masterpieces from Private Collections features more than 30 paintings that have been exclusively sourced from Australian and international private collections for a strictly limited two week showing. Many of the works have been hidden from public view since they were created, whilst others have never been reproduced. No works of art are for sale and proceeds from the exhibition and associated events will be directed to support the Opera Australia Capital Fund. (185.60 KB)

Sotheby’s Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Guy Cairnduff as Head of Arts & Design. Guy will work closely with Sotheby’s Australia’s specialists in driving the company’s business in auctions and private sales of Fine Asian, Australian and European Arts & Design. (61.77 KB)

One of Arthur Streeton’s most renowned images of Sydney Harbour will be auctioned by Sotheby’s Australia in May in Sydney. Cremorne (1926) (estimate $180,000-220,000), with its towering blocks of high-rise apartments and offices dominating the skyline and deep shadows cast on the glassy water, perfectly articulates the urbanisation of Sydney and its advancing modernity. (101.77 KB)

Hannah O'Leary, Director of Modern & Contemporary African Art at Sotheby's in London, will visit Melbourne on 2-3 February and Sydney on 6-8 February to seek consignments for Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary African Art auction, to be held in London on 16 May 2017. (114.46 KB)

Sotheby’s Australia’s collection of 102 lots of Important Australian Art estimated at $6.7 million to $9.2 million is set to generate strong buyer interest and auction records on 23 November at the InterContinental Sydney. Charles Blackman’s The Game of Chess 1956 (estimate $1,000,000-1,200,000, lot 47) is anticipated to achieve a new world auction record previously set by Sotheby’s Australia in 2006. (347.28 KB)

Significant award winning Australian landscape paintings have been brought together for sale by Sotheby’s Australia on 23 November at the InterContinental Sydney. William Dobell’s Storm Approaching, Wangi 1948 (estimate $100,000-150,000, lot 3) and Sali Herman’s The Red House 1965 (estimate $50,000-70,000, lot 29) were both awarded the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ Wynne Prize for the best Australian landscape painting. (286.43 KB)

Charles Blackman’s The Game of Chess (estimate $1,000,000-1,200,000, lot 47, pictured) is set to break an auction world record on 23 November by Sotheby’s Australia at the InterContinental Sydney. Sotheby’s Australia established the current auction record of $1,020,000 in 2006 and holds the top two auction results for the artist. (292.39 KB)

Sotheby’s Australia is honoured to be entrusted with the sale of Jeffrey Smart’s The Two-Up Game (Portrait of Ermes de Zan) (2006) (estimate $500,000-700,000, lot 48, pictured). Consigned by the TarraWarra Museum of Art, the painting will be auctioned on 23 November at the InterContinental Sydney, with funds raised to establish a future acquisition fund. (156.24 KB)

One of Herbert Badham’s largest oil paintings will be auctioned by Sotheby’s Australia on 23 November at the InterContinental Sydney. Botanical Gardens, Sydney (circa 1936) (estimate $80,000-100,000, lot 1, pictured) reveals the artist’s interest in colour and form. Impressionistic in capturing light and shadow, it is a reverie of sunlight upon the water, and is arresting in its technical aspects of photo-journalistic qualities, recording a favoured pastime at one of Sydney’s most popular attractions. (295.73 KB)

A significant painting believed to be from Arthur Streeton’s first major solo exhibition in 1896 has been re-discovered in a private collection in Tasmania. Offered for auction by Sotheby’s Australia on 23 November 2016 at the InterContinental Sydney, ‘And the Sunlight Clasps the Earth’ 1895 (estimate $250,000-350,000, lot 15, pictured) has remained hidden from public view since it was acquired by the family of the present owners almost a century ago. (117.89 KB)

Sotheby’s Australia is pleased to announce that the 1881 Adelaide Hunt Club Cup by Henry Steiner was sold at auction last night to the National Museum of Australia, Canberra for $170,000 hammer ($207,400 including buyer’s premium). The 18 carat gold cup was the only known surviving 19th century South Australian gold trophy that remained in private ownership. Modelled to a neoclassical form, the cup features an elongated scroll handle and an inverted spout, the collared neck consists of a band of acanthus leaves above a tapered body, and was made by Australia’s preeminent silversmith, Henry Steiner of Adelaide. (115.13 KB)