Brandon Lindberg 's Top Picks

No. 1

Lot 93: Thomas Daniell R.A (British 1749-1840), The Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Oil on mahogany panel | Est. £30,000-50,000 (+ fees)

"I have always been fascinated by the works of Thomas and William Daniell, the uncle and nephew partnership whose works document Indian architecture and ancient monuments in the late 18^th Century. This picture has not been on the market for over fifty years and is painted on panel which has kept the paint surface in remarkably untouched condition. On close inspection the brush strokes are as fresh as when they were first painted and subtly capture the movement of the waves and figures."

No. 2

Lot 74: Thomas Frye (British 1710-1762), Portrait of a Lady, Oil on canvas, feigned oval | Est. £15,000-25,000 (+ fees)

"This portrait by the Anglo-Irish painter Thomas Frye reminds me of the work of Allan Ramsay with its embroidered silk and lace trimmed dress in the `French Taste’. Such elegance is complemented by its original rococo frame, complete with scrolls, sprays of flowers, chinoiserie details and stalactites. Frye was a versatile artist and printmaker and in 1760 he published his series of characterful and often dramatically lit portraits entitled `Twelve heads drawn from nature and large as life’. He was also a pioneer of English ceramics and became the manager of the Bow porcelain factory."

No. 3

Lot 232: John William Waterhouse RA (British 1849-1917), A Portrait of a Young Girl, Oil on canvas | Est. £20,000-30,000 (+ fees)

"John William Waterhouse created some of the most famous and well-loved Victorian pictures, including 'Ophelia' in Tate Britain. Portraits by him are rare and this tender study of a young girl is too freely painted to be a commission and is most probably the daughter of a friend or relative."

Lucy Darlington's Top Picks

No. 1

Lot 202: Frank Cadogan Cowper (British 1877-1958), Queen of Hearts, Oil on canvas | Est. £2,000-3,000 (+ fees)

"As well as working in oils and watercolours, Cowper also illustrated books. This lot combines Cowper’s two talents to produce this scene from 'Alice in Wonderland' as an oil painting."

No. 2

Lot 217: George Owen Wynne Apperley (British 1884-1960), Pan's Son, Watercolour | Est. £1,000-1,500 (+ fees)

"Dreweatts is delighted to be offering a small section of works by George Owen Apperley in our forthcoming sale. Among them is this charming watercolour dated 1945, depicting Pan’s son dancing in a mountainous landscape. The flowers scattered among the grass and in the air add a whimsical element to this joyful scene."

No. 3

Lot 231: λ Sir Frank Brangwyn (British 1867 - 1956), The Japanese Kimono: Portrait of Lucy Ray, Oil on canvas | Est. £15,000-25,000 (+ fees)

"I love this elegant portrait by Sir Frank Brangwyn, painted when the artist was just twenty-six years old. During 1893, the year this portrait was painted, Orientalism was becoming a favoured theme for many artists and Brangwyn spent much time travelling to countries such as Egypt, Spain, Turkey and Morocco. His interest in Japan specifically, would develop over the next two decades with the Japanese Industrial magnate Kojiro Matsutaka becoming his patron." 

Daniele Amesso's Top Picks

No. 1

Lot 3: After the workshop of Sandro Botticelli, The Virgin and Child with St. John and an Angel, Oil on canvas, tondo | Est. £4,000-6,000 (+ fees)

"Although it is a copy after a painting in the National Gallery, it is still a beautiful object. It’s round shape and curving figures, combined with its rich colours, make this painting stand out. But the most interesting aspect of it is the provenance. It belonged to the fairy painter John Anster Fitzgerald. When the original painting arrived in London in 1855, Fitzgerald was only twenty-three, and it must have impacted him visually and influenced him artistically. Although we are not entirely sure, this could potentially be a copy by him, as we know he replicated paintings in the National Gallery, such as his watercolour version of Turner’s 'Ulysses Deriding Polyphemus', which Dreweatts sold in 2022."

No. 2

Lot 102: Jean Baptiste Greuze (French 1725-1805), Portrait of a child in a black and white dress, Oil on panel | Est. £20,000-30,000 (+ fees)

"This oil on panel by Greuze is a sweet and captivating painting. The brushwork is so fluid and full of movement. Greuze has a talent for capturing emotions in his so-called Tête d'expression. In this case, there are various nuances of feelings. Is the child shy or needing attention? Is he happy or is there a hint of sadness in his eyes? I find this painting such a sweet yet intricate piece of art."

No. 3

Lot 131: Thomas Luny (British 1759-1837), H.M.S Bellerophon off Torbay with the defeated Emperor Napoleon aboard '26 July 1815', Oil on canvas | Est. £20,000-30,000 (+ fees)

"This is a fascinating marine painting. Thomas Luny paints the Bellerophon after capturing Napoleon, just after the battle of Waterloo. To know that Napoleon is held captive in that boat, and will be taken to Torbay as a trophy, makes this an extremely unique work of historical art."

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Auction Details

Wednesday 21 February, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:

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  • Monday 12 February: 10am-4pm
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