“Gauguin”, the star lot in the Menzies auction on 24 July in Melbourne, is a historical heavy weight by Brett Whiteley – and it is now on view in Australia for the first time.
Whiteley painted the yellow work in 1968 in the famous Chelsea Hotel in New York – home at various times to a roll call of creatives, among them Dylan Thomas, Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Arthur Miller, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Jasper Johns, Allen Ginsburg, Janis Joplin, Sid Vicious, Arthur C. Clark
e, Madonna – inspired by the troubled life of another famous artist, French painter Paul Gauguin.
Fittingly perhaps for an artist, the painting was used as part payment for Whiteley’s rent in 1969.
The stunning painting measures a massive 152.5 x 264.5 cm and is titled Portrait of Paul Gauguin on the eve of his attempted suicide, Tahiti. It is now on offer with an estimate of $1.2 to $1.8 million.
And here are 20 Dave’s 20 Faves from the 150 lots:
Lot 1 – John Coburn, Untitled 1970, est. $5,500-7,500. Red Rules
Lot 10 – Jason Benjamin, She is searching for you too, 2010, est. $16,000-24,000. The Search is Over
Lot 17 – Albert Namatjira, Untitled (Grass Tree), est. $20,000-30,000. A rare and exceptional Namatjira
Lot 20 – Charles Blackman, Luna Park 1951, est. $24,000-28,000. Simplicity seals it
Lot 29 – Margaret Olley, Yellow Lupins in Interior 1991, est. $65,000-85,000. Packed full of Delights
Lot 30 – Grace Cossington Smith, Christmas Tree 1953, est. $90,000-150,000. This Tree’s a Treat
Lot 33 – Jeffrey Smart, Waiting Containers, Syracuse Harbour 1977, est. $120,000-150,000. Feels like I’m in some kind of Legoland heaven
Lot 40 – Brett Whiteley, Gauguin 1968, est. $1.2-1.8 million. You don’t need a “Yellow House” for this yellow painting
Lot 47 – Arthur Boyd, Hillside with Rocks, est. $60,000-80,000. Painted to Perfection
Lot 56 – Louis Buvelot, Untitled (Settler’s Cottage) 1875, est. $14,000-18,000. Brilliant Buvelot
Lot 75 – Sali Herman, Untitled (Glebe) 1986, est. $7,000-10,000. Sali soothes the Soul
Lot 76 – Roland Wakelin, Untitled (The Rocks) c1948, est. $15,000-20,000. Roland Rocks
Lot 83 – Jeffrey Smart, Study for The Meeting 1982, et. $5,000-8,000. A very rare drawing
Lot 87 – Eveline Syem, The Lily Tower, Siena 1930, est. $5,000-8,000. Syme’s Time has come
Lot 100 – Janet Cumbrae-Stewart, Portrait of the Artist’s Model 1931, est. $6,000-8,000. Pastel Portrait Paradise
Lot 102 – Dora Wilson, Bruges c1930, est. $3,000-3,600. Wilson Wins Us!
Lot 122 – Margaret Olley, Bauhinias 1965, est. $35,000-45,000. Olley’s 60’s paintings are her best
Lot 130 – John Allcot, “Australia’s First Boat Race 1818”, est. $6,000-9,000. Allcot’s Masterpiece
Lot 139 – Chris Langlois, Ocean no. 91 2006, est. $7,000-9,000. Serenity rules the waves
Lot 143 – Max Dupain, Life at the Spit, $2,000-3,000. The Magic of Max.
Interested in any lots and would like to discuss with us? Give us a ring on 02 9977 7764 or email to info@bhfineart.com
We will be attending the auction in Melbourne and are happy to assist you with advice, due diligence reports and also bidding on the night.
Personal viewing in Sydney is from 10 to 13 July at Menzies, 12 Todman Avenue, Kensington.
In Melbourne, you can view from 17 to 23 July at Stonington Mansion, 336 Glenferrie Road, Malvern
The auction is held in the Menzies Gallery on 24 July, at 1 Darling Street, South Yarra.