Samuel John Peploe RSA (British, 1871-1935), Dark Roses in Pot, 44.5 x 39.5 cm led the auction of artworks by Scottish Artists. Sold for £122,500 ($196,984). Image courtesy of Bonhams
BY KAZAD
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND — Works by the world-famous Scottish Colourists and other leading Scottish artists were at the center of a recent art auction at Bonhams in Edinburgh. Prior to the art sale in Edinburgh, the works were put on display in an exhibition that drew a lot of art lovers.
Topping the art sale was the Dark Roses in Pot by Samuel Peploe. Estimated at £100,000-150,000, the painting dates from the later period of Peploe’s career when he created many of the works that came to define his artistic career. The stylistic approach shows the bold, confident vigorous brush and palette-knife technique of a master at the height of his powers. The painting sold for £122,500 including premium ($196,984).
The art sale included works by Scottish Landscape artists. One of them is John Duncan Fergusson. On Juan Plage, a sun-drenched painting by John Duncan Fergusson got a lot of attention from collectors. Estimated at £120,000-150,000, the painting sold for £134,500 including premium ($ 216,280). Painted in 1923, On Juan Plage, is the result of extensive sketches Fergusson made in1922 while staying with his friend and patron George Davison at Juan-Les-Pin. The piece is the artist’s response to the sun, sea, and dazzling landscapes of the South of France after devastating war years spent in Britain.
George Hunter’s The Crusoe Hotel, Lower Largo drew a lot of attention from art collectors who were in the room and on the telephone. The piece which depicts a local landmark named after Robinson Crusoe, the model for whom, Alexander Selkirk, lived in the town engendered a bidding war. Estimated at £25,000-35,000, the painting went above expectations, fetching £43,750 including premium ($70,351).
Besides Dark Roses in Pot, Still Life with Books and Statuette also by Peploe featured prominently in the Bonhams art auction. It was valued at £25,000-35,000. Also included in the Bonhams art auction is Fergusson’s townscape titled Towards Juan from Cap d’Antibes. An art collector paid £45,000 including premium ($72,361) for the piece estimated at £20,000-30,000. Samuel Cadell, a fourth member of the Colourist School presented Interior, Ainslie Place at the art sale. The fine interior estimated at £15,000-20,000 featured prominently at the art sale.
The presentation of the outstanding works by the world-famous Scottish Colourists in an art auction in Edinburgh and the great outcome is a source of pride for the Bonhams auctioneers. Chris Brickley, Bonhams Head of Pictures in Edinburgh, notes: “We are really pleased to be able to bring so many top-quality works by the Scottish Colourists to London. These artists have become famous throughout the world and their paintings are in constant demand.”
The art auction prices generated during the art sale of the world-famous Scottish Colourists and other leading Scottish artists give credence to the skills of these celebrated artists. As expected, Bonhams auctioneers are celebrating the success of the art sale. Beyond the art auction prices, however, the fact that the Bonhams art auction was held in Edinburgh shows the versatility of the art auction house as it continues to expand into new territories.