The Sotheby’s sale is one of the finest offerings of art that we have seen in a long time. Its depth and consistency make it a must-view event. Among the outstanding works are a stormy Wangi scene by William Dobell from 1948, “Turnip Diggers” by Fred Williams from his Silver and Grey series, and the cover lot by Charles Blackman, a rare “Alice” painting “The Game of Chess” from 1956.
The overall estimate expectations are $6.7 million to $9.26 million for the auction held on 23 November at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney.
Don’t hesitate to ask us for pre-purchase advice and unbiased analysis, and assistance with bidding on the night.
Here is how you can view:
in person in Melbourne from 9 to 13 November, 41 Exhibition Street, and in Sydney from 17 to 23 November at 30 & 34 Queen Street, Woollahra, online at the Sotheby’s website and a preview with Dave’s Faves:
Lot 1, Herbert Badham, Botanical Gardens, Sydney (ca. 1936), est. $80,000-100,000. Dappled light magicLot 2, Grace Cossington Smith, Drapery and Foliage, est. $50,000-70,000. MasterpieceLot 3, William Dobell, Storm Approaching, Wangi 1948, est. $100,000-150,000. Noblest DobellLot 7, Fred Williams, Turnip Diggers (1968), est. $450,000-650,000. Dig thisLot 15, Arthur Streeton, “And the Sunlight Clasps the Earth” 1895, est. $250,000-350,000. The painting to clasp us allLot 21, Brett Whiteley, A Snippet of Tuscany 1960, est. $35,000-45,000. Both a snippet and a snipLot 27, William Robinson, To Beechmont with Bushfire and Approaching Storm 1998, est. $250,000-300,000. Bill’s Beechmont Bushfire BristlesLot 30, Jeffrey Smart, Study for Jacob Descending (1979), est. $140,000-180,000. Wish I’d taken the elevatorLot 31, Brett Whiteley, Milk (1976), est. $250,000-350,000. This milk will never sourLot 38, Peter Purves Smith, Botanic Gardens 1949, est. $12,000-18,000. Rare BirdLot 39, Danila Vassilieff, Children Playing in Collingwood School (1939), est. $30,000-40,000. Worth making a Play forLot 45, Brett Whiteley, Sydney Winter 1980, est. $150,000-200,000. It’s a Whiteley WashLot 46, Joel Elenberg, Mask E (1979), est. $80,000-100,000. A Sculpture made in HeavenLot 47, Charles Blackman, The Game of Chess 1956, est. $1,000,000-1,200,000. “Check”, MateLot 55, Elaine Haxton, Kate and Blackie 1955, est. $7,000-10,000. You might get luckyLot 60, Charles Wheeler, Goldfish, 1911, est. $30,000-40,000. Gone Fishin’Lot 65, Norman Lindsay, A Casanova Lady 1929, est. $18,000-25,000. I’m a FanLot 66, Arthur Streeton, Lilies and Bells 1936, est. $35,000-45,000. Far from a Still LifeLot 80, Charles Blackman, Two Schoolgirls (1952), est. $8,000-12,000. Charles’ Charcoal CatchLot 86, Albert Tucker, Girl 1950, est. $15,000-20,000. Girl with GritLot 95, Guy Boyd, (Kneeling Woman), est. $8,000-12,000. Underrated
