Menzies are the first this year to hold their traditional summer fine art auction. On 20 November, they present 123 lots by some of Australia’s favourite artists – think Charles Blackman, Arthur Boyd, Margaret Olley, Tim Storrier, and Norman Lindsay.
There is a lovely selection of Indigenous paintings, including by market darling Sally Gabori and two wonderful Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarris.
Particularly varied is the sculpture offering, as it includes not only domestic, but also international artists, premiering on our shores the work of Spanish sculptor Manolo Valdes. You simply can’t overlook his “Reina Mariana” (lot 37) with her voluminous skirt in bronze.
The other outstanding international offering is American Robert Indiana’s “Hope (Blue/Red)”, 2009, (lot 39), one of his iconic and immediately recognisable aluminium sculptures.
Closer to home, Bruce Armstrong’s “Owl”, lot 18, is an arresting stand-out, a bronze camouflaging as wood, and Alex Seton’s hessian bag actually a marble sculpture (lot 16).
And these are Dave’s Faves for the Menzies Summer 2024 auction:
Lot 1 – Albert Namatjira, Near Mount Gillen, Central Australia, 1957, watercolour, 25 x 35.5 cm., est. $35,000-$45,000. Includes waterhole and old Holden photo-op
Lot 2 – Clarice Beckett, Narignal, Summer on the Plains, c1926-1928, oil, 41 x 30.5 cm, est. $30,000-$40,000. Australia’s most rejuvenated artist shines yet again
Lot 5 – Bessie Davidson, Still Life with Pansies, oil, 38.5 x 46 cm, est. $25,000-$35,000. Best, Better, Bessie!
Lot 10 – Kenneth MacQueen, Mount Emly, c1950, watercolour, 39 x 48 cm, est. $8,000-$12,000. Modernist Magic with MacQueen
Lot 16 – Alex Seton, Bags of … (Wish Fulfilment) REST 2007, Wombeyan marble, 47 x 46 x 26, est. $12,000-$16,000. It’s Time to Get the Sack
Lot 24 – Ethel Spowers, The Battle, 1933, oil, 41.5 x 41.5 cm, est. $80,000-$120,000. This Painting Rocks
Lot 32 – John Perceval, Autumn Pruning, 1964, oil, 76 x 94 cm, est. $40,000-$60,000. Looks Like a Great Harvest
Lot 38 – Jeffrey Smart, The Cable Coils, 2000-01, oil, 80 x 125 cm, est. $650,000-850,000. Cable Coils or Licorice Wheels?
Lot 61 – Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Rockholes near the Olgas, synthetic polymer paint, 122.5 x 122.5 cm, est. $20,000-$30,000. There’s Whiskey in the Tjapaltjarri
Lot 67 – Sally Gabori, My Father’s Country, 2007, synthetic polymer paint, 195.5 x 100 cm, est. $25,000-$35,000. Long Tall Sally
Lot 80 – John Passmore, Still LIfe with Fruit and Jug, oil, 39.5 x 49.5 cm, est. $8,000-$12,000. Cezanne passes the Baton
Lot 85 – James Alfred Turner, The Local Talent, 1903. oil, 50 x 30 cm, est. $8,000-$12,000. A Jig with Jim
Lot 88 – Eveline Syme, Church of Santa Prisca, Taxco, Mexico, c1948, watercolour, 57 x 38.5 cm, est. $6,000-$8,000. Que Viva Mexico!
Lot 90 – Tim Storrier, Flower Piece, oil, 20 x 30 cm, est. $5,000-$7,000. Get your Floral Fix
Lot 105 – Peter Kingston, The Leveret, 1994, oil, 61.5 x 66.5 cm, est. $3,000-$5,000. Smokin’
You can view all artworks in Melbourne at 1 Darling Street, South Yarra, 14 to 19 November.
The auction is held on 20 November 2024, 6.30 pm, at the Menzies premises in Melbourne.
All artworks are also on view online at the Menzies website.
If you would like to know more about an artwork in this auction, let us know. Happy to assist you with our professional advice.
As one of our clients just commented on receiving his due diligence report from us: “I find your reports to be extremely valuable and provide insights that I would not have known without your advice.”
We would be delighted to support you in a similar way with due diligence prior to buying and bidding – simply contact us on 0466 313 095 or email to discuss your interests further.
Read more about our art advisory services here.
