VALUE RISEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 279, 7 September 1935, Page 10

VALUE RISEN

A MILLAIS CANVAS. It sounds strange to state tlint, at Christie’s in the last picture sale of the season, consisting of moderate works, one of the highest-priced lots of the day was that big Millais canvas } “Murthly Waters,” which realised 65 guineas cnlv, writes the art critic of the “Daily Telegraph.” Xow this picture once fetched 1450 guineas. That was in 1891, three years after it was painted. Since then it has often declined at auction, and five years ago, the last bid was only 45 guineas.

Instead, therefore, of crying out about “slump” one has to bear n mind that a Millais picture actually advanced in value. Millais, himself, was always prepared to learn that his works were declining, and he used often to avow that he would like to sink half of his pictures to the bottom of'the Atlantic-—if he could choose the half to go. Unquestionably the recent season lias shown that the market has maintained the optimistic mood, begun in 1934 lifter some weary years of travail. A number of pictures reached or exceeded 1400 guineas and the following list, including names of the artists, pictures, owners, purchasers and prices should be of interest:—

Hoppner, Phoebe Hoppner, Joel Sale, 11,500 guaneas, purchaser Lord Duveen. Lawrence, Woodland Maid, Joel Sale. 9500 guineas, purchaser Gooden and Fox. Romney, Lady Hamilton as a Welsh Girl, Joel Sale, 5200 guineas, purchaser, L. Thomson. Hoppner, Hurdy-Gurdy Player, Joel Sale, 4800 guineas, purchaser L. Thomson. Lanoret, Heures de Jour (4), behruary 21, 3700 guineas, Vicars. Romney, Boone Children, Joel Sale, 3500 guineas, purchaser F. Howard. ' Gainsborough, Claselton Children, Joel Sale, 3300 guineas, purchaser Vicars. Bellini, G., A. Man, May 21, £2BOO, purchaser Asscher and A\ c ker. Romneyi CL, Lady Hamilton as Adriano, Joel Bale, 2700 guineas, purchaser, Vicars. Steen Jan, Wedding Party, February 21 2400 guineas, purchaser, Asia ch or and Welker. Van Guyen, River Scene, February -1, 2100 guineas, purchaser, E. Smith. . Raeburn,"Mrs J. Pattison, May 31, 200 guineas, purchaser, J. ThomMorland CL, Public House Door, Joel Sale, 1800 guineas, purchaser J;Thomson. Lawrence, Lady Jane Long, February 14, £1750, purchaser, Permain. Lawrence. Countess Guildford and daughter, May 31. 1600 guineas, purchaser Boot. Morland, G., Carriers Stable, Joel ale, 1400 guineas, purchaser L. Thomson. Chief Pierpont Morgan Miniatures. Holbein, Mr Pemberton, June 24, 5900 guineas, purchaser, Lord Duveen. Armadla ‘ Jewel, Hilliard of Queen Elizabeth, June 24, 2700 guineas, purchaser Viscount W akefield.