In their fine art auction on 20 April in Sydney, Smith and Singer offer just 61 lots. However, there are some serious big hitters in the sale, and foremost among them is without a doubt lot 26, Frederick McCubbin’s “What the Little Girl Saw in the Bush” from 1904. It commands not only eight pages in the auction catalogue, but is also presented in its own separate brochure. Considered one of McCubbin’s masterpieces, it comes with a distinguished provenance and extensive exhibition history and expectations of $1,200,000 to $1,600,000.
While the first seven lots are taken up by five eminent female Australian artists, the sale ends with two iconic prints by world famous artist Andy Warhol. In between, Smith & Singer offer a wide range of works encompassing the history of Australian art – everything from a goldfield impression by S.T. Gill to a sharp take on contemporary life by Michael Zavros.
You can view the artworks in Sydney from 14 to 20 April at 30 Queen Street in Woollahra.
The auction is held on Tuesday, 20 April, 6.3 pm, at the NCJWA, 111 Queen Street.
For due diligence and pre-purchase analysis, contact us on info@bhfineart.com and David Hulme on 0466 313 095. We would be delighted to assist you with astute advice and represent you on the night.
Dave’s Faves are:
Lot 2 – Freda Robertshaw, Bushwalker’s Camp, 1945, oil, 24 x 34 cm, est. $25,000-35,000. Happy CampersLot 6 – Constance Stokes, The Three Graces, 1951, oil, 70.2 x 55.9 cm, est. $60,000-80,000. Goodness and GraciousLot 7 – Grace Cossington Smith, Buttercups, 1944, oil, 31.5 x 26.5 cm, est. $20,000-30,000. Pass the Butter, Don’t Pass the ButtercupsLot 12 – Ian Fairweather, On the Lake, 1964, polymer and gouache, on cardboard on hardboard, 69 x 93 cm, est. $200,000-300,000. Anyone for Venice?Lot 16 – Jeffrey Smart, The Arezzo Turn-Off I, 1973, oil, 80 x 100 cm, est. $800,000-1,200,000. A Real Turn-OnLot 19 – Jeffrey Smart, Containers and Silos at Livorno, 1990, oil, 72 x 95.5 cm, est. $450,000-650,000. Going Solo at the SiloLot 21 – Sidney Nolan, Ned Kelly: The Return, 1964, synthetic polymer paint, 152.5 x 122 cm, est. $500,000-700,000. Many Happy ReturnsLot 22 – Sidney Nolan, Near Birdsville, 1953, oil and enamel paint, 91.1 x 121.4 cm, est. $90,000-120,000. Sir Kenneth Clark could spot a WinnerLot 24 – Arthur Streeton, Hobart 1938, oil, 102 x 152 cm, est. $750,000-950,000. Tasmania is TrendingLot 31 – S.T. Gill, McLaren’s Boxing Saloon, Ballarat, in 1854, work on paper, 18.5 x 28 cm, est. $30,000-40,000. Packs a PunchLot 43 – Michael Zavros, GQ Recommends, 2003, oil, 82 x 118 cm, est. $20,000-25,000. DH RecommendsLot 44 – Peter Booth, Painting (Figure – Yellow with Blue Scarf), 2006, oil, 117 x 132.5 cm, est. $70,000-90,000. Rhapsody in a Blue ScarfLot 48 – George Baldessin, Pear, 1971-72, bronze, 160 x 80 x 80 cm, est. $50,000-70,000. Grow a Pear!Lot 53 – Tim Maguire, Untitled 20050405, 2005, oil, 148 x 118 cm, est. $28,000-38,000. Take Time out for TimLot 57 – Guy Boyd, Adam and Eve, 1981, oil on aluminium, 111 x 91 cm, est. $6,000-9,000. The Apple of my EyeLot 60 – Andy Warhol, Scotch Broth, 1969, screenprint 3/250, 81 x 48 cm, est. $25,000-35,000. Souper Trouper
