Australian paintings from iconic artists are continuing to prove popular with buyers and Melbourne-based Gibson’s Auctions Australian & International Art sale on Sunday April 10 proved no exception when the 161 works on offer sold for 110% of their catalogue estimates.
Out in front was Arthur Streeton’s landscape The Stone Bridge circa 1930 (Lot 3 ) which sold for $91,500 (including buyer’s premium) on a $25,000-$35,000 catalogue estimate while buyers also chased Tom Roberts (1856-1931) Drovers Resting Early Morning (Lot 8 ) that changed hands for $52,460.
Australian paintings from iconic artists are continuing to prove popular with buyers and Melbourne-based Gibson’s Auctions Australian & International Art sale on April 10 proved no exception when the 161 works on offer sold for 110% per cent of their catalogue estimates. Out in front was Arthur Streeton’s landscape The Stone Bridge circa 1930 (above) which sold for $91,500 (including buyer’s premium) on a $25,000-$35,000 catalogue estimate.
Well-known Melbourne artist Deborah Halpern occupied third place in the top 10 with the sculpture entitled Ruby Lips 2012 (Lot 68 ) for a $32,940 return.
Donald Friend’s (1915-1989) The Puppets 1985 (Lot 17 ) was another bonus, selling for 29,280 against a $12,000-$15,000 estimate and popular still life artist Margaret Preston (1875-1963) again showed her worth with The Snail 1949 (Lot 15 ) that brought $24,000.
Chinese-born Ling Jian proved that contemporary Chinese art also is sought after when his Hero No. 8 2009 (Lot 21 ) changed hands for $21,960 – the same price as that paid for Hugh Ramsay’s (1877-1906) The Artist’s Model (Lot 93 ) and Hugh Sawrey’s The Publican’s Pride (Lot 112 ).
Other well performing works included lot 48, Moonrise Through the Trees (Lot 48 ) by Sydney Long (1971-1955), that brought $19,520, and Children Picnicking Castlemaine (Lot 46 ) by Alice Marian Ellen Bale (1875-1955).
About The Author
Richard Brewster has been writing about the antiques and art auction industry for almost 25 years, first in a regular weekly column for Fairfax's The Age newspaper and also in more recent times for his own website Australian Auction Review. With over 50 years experience as a journalist and public relations consultant, in 1990 Richard established his own business Brewster & Associates in Melbourne, handling a wide range of clients in the building, financial, antiques and art auction industries.
