Recognised for her landscapes, Dora Toovey was also a prolific portraitist and a finalist in the Archibald Prize an extraordinary 34 times. Several of those works are now in major museums including the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, and the Art Gallery of NSW. There are seven of Toovey’s portraits in the upcoming auction, on offer from the artist’s estate. Among them is Self Portrait (Lot 6088 ) depicting the artist at her easel in 1982, John Antill, Australian Composer (Lot 6091 ), an Archibald finalist in 1965, and the richly coloured Eileen Eason (Lot 6089 ), a 1974 finalist. Regarded as Australia's foremost sculptor, Robert Klippel was internationally admired for his assemblages, but he also produced drawings, paintings and collages that are today held in private and public collections globally. There’s an interesting example here, Collage 2 (Lot 6013 ), composed of paper and felt tip pen. Other notable works include an elegant watercolour by Arthur Streeton, Still Life, Bearded Iris in a Glass Vase (Lot 6035 ) and a sweet etching by Brett Whitely, The Honeyeater (Lot 6018 ). Another fine example of line drawing, Ray Crooke’s ink and pastel Washing Up (Lot 6008 ) provides a striking counterpoint to the artist’s vibrant South Pacific paintings. Among the international collection, standouts include a dramatic landscape by Adelsteen Normann, Norwegian Fiord (Lot 6075 ) and a selection of small bronzes by South African artist, Llewellyn Davies, including Tethered Polo Pony (Lot 6070 ).
Auction Preview: Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers, Fine Art | Australian & International, 29 April 2024
Supplied, 16 April 2024
The April Fine Art auction at Theodore Bruce Auctioneers features Australian artworld stalwarts including Arthur Streeton, David Boyd and Llloyd Rees, plus photography, works on paper and objects. Among the highlights is an impressive collection of portraits by Portia Geach Memorial Award winner and Archibald Prize finalist, Dorothea (Dora) Toovey.
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