On 20 August, just a day after the Smith & Singer auction, Menzies offer their 115 lots of important Australian art in their recently renovated Melbourne gallery.
In the strong selection of contemporary Australian art, we get the choice of several artworks by several of Australia’s best loved artists, including Arthur Boyd, John Olsen and Brett Whiteley.
Great Australian Art
Surely the pick of the bunch in the Whiteley collection is the luminous “Sketch of a Magnolia” from 1977. It is one of the artworks which has not been seen in public since its purchase in 1978 from the gallery of legendary Melbourne dealer Joseph Brown. We expect great interest.
Fittingly, the last lot in the sale is also reserved for Whiteley: one of the artist’s searing tributes to Vincent van Gogh.
Indigenous master Emily Kame Kngwarreye is represented with not one, but three signature paintings, most suitable given the high interest and exposure of her work with the current solo exhibition at Tate Modern Gallery in London (on view until 11 January 2026).
Other great indigenous art in the Menzies offering includes works by Sally Gabori, Clifford Possum and Tommy Watson.
British post-impressionist Alfred Wolmark’s Australian auction debut occurred just in April this year at Menzies, leaving a very positive impression. This time there are five of his striking artworks included.
Speaking of post-impressionist: a boldly coloured flower still life by French Pierre Bonnard from 1913 from the collection of Richard Blair is on offer for $800,000 to $1,200,000.
Again, David has thought long and hard about his Faves, and here are the 18 he has chosen:
Lot 3 – John Brack, Roundelay – Party Scene, 1964. Watercolour, 47.5 x 26.5 cm, est. $35,000 – $55,000. Simply Irresistible
Lot 11 – Sally Gabori, Dibirdibi Country, 2011. Synthetic polymer paint, 151 x 91 cm, est. $30,000 – $40,000. A Long & Tall Sally
Lot 18 – Dale Frank, The Unattended Funeral to Love Me as a Freebie for an Hour, 2007. Varnish on linen, 160 x 120 cm, est. $30,000 – $50,000. One of 100 Paintings You Must Buy Before You Die
Lot 21 – Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Untitled, 1993. Synthetic polymer paint, 121 x 90.5 cm, est. $60,000 – $80,000. Now on at the Tate, Mate
Lot 27 – John Olsen, Landscape, Body & Sea, 2018. Synthetic polymer paint, 151 x 180 cm, est. $180,000 – $240,000. Go Johnny, Go Johnny Go Go Go
Lot 28 – Robert Clinch, Long Distance, 2002. Tempera, 70 x 68 cm, est. $50,000 – $70,000. It’s Kind of a “Smart” Choice… Don’t you think?
Lot 30, Clement Meadmore, Emanation, 2000. Bronze 2/4, 44 x 90 x 41 cm, est. $80,000 – $120,000. Meadmore, the Minimalist Magician
Lot 33, Ben Quilty, Whytie, 2020. Oil, 112 x 91.5 cm, est. $90,000 – $120,000. A Quality Quilty Budgie
Lot 38, Rupert Bunny, Sunbath (also known as Bain de Soleil), c1915-16. Oil, 54.5 x 81 cm, est. $180,000 – $240,000. Sunbath Bunny Owned by Blair
Lot 41 – Brett Whiteley, Sketch of a Magnolia, 1977. Oil and mixed media, 78.5 x 75.5 cm, est. $400,000 – $600,000. Have a safe Bet on Brett
Lot 43 – Tony Tuckson, Painting (also known as No. 49 (Dark)), c1964. Synthetic polymer paint, 122 x 91.5 cm, est. $60,000-$80,000. Taught Abstraction by Crowley and Balson
Lot 56 – John Olsen, The Wind in the Willows, Rydal, 1991. Watercolour, 100 x 78 cm, est. $40,000 – $60,000. Great Book, Great Picture, Great Buy
Lot 76 – Barbara Tribe, Medusa, 1931. Bronze, 2/12, 40 x 25 x 19 cm. Est. $25,000 – $35,000. Modernist and Marvellous
Lot 85 – Joy Hester, Head of a Woman. Ink and wash, 31 x 25 cm, est. $8,000 – $12,000. Tragedy meets Majesty
Lot 105 – John Coburn, Romanesque, 1969. Synthetic polymer paint, 52 x 64.5 cm, est. $10,000 – $15,000. Roman Retro
Lot 107 – Peter Upward, Untitled, 1960. Synthetic polymer paint, 61 x 45.5 cm, est. $15,000 – $25,000. Onward and….
Lot 114 – Marc Chagall, Romeo et Juliette, 1964. Colour lithograph, 112/200, 65 x 101 cm, est. $30,000 – $40,000. Paris Pash
Lot 115 – Brett Whiteley, Vincent (an Essay in Opposites), 1982. Etching, screenprint and collage, 211 x 91.5 cm, est. $20,000 – $30,000. Best Brett Bang for your Buck
All artworks can be viewed online at the Menzies website.
The Sydney preview is held from 7 to 10 August at 12 Todman Avenue, Kensington.
In Melbourne, you can view all artworks from 14 to 19 August at 1 Darling Street, South Yarra.
The Menzies auction takes place on 20 August, 6.30 pm, at 1 Darling Street.
If one of the artworks attracts your particular attention, we would be delighted to assist you with independent due diligence prior to the sale.
You can contact us via email info@bhfineart.com or phone 0466 313 095.
Read more about our comprehensive art services here.
And regarding the perennial subject of investing in art, this time on David Bromley: David has just been interviewed by Domain, and here is the link that takes you there.
