Right from the start of Melbourne-based Christian McCann’s forthcoming “Treasures from the Past” auction from 12pm Sunday May 28 at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford, auction goers will be impressed with the value and versatility of the items on offer.

Deutscher and Hackett’s latest timed online auction is a great opportunity to pick up works by one of Australia’s well-known artists without destroying the budget.

Classified as modern, contemporary and traditional art, the sale will close from 7pm Tuesday May 23 and features affordable paintings, prints and sculptures by such luminaries as Sidney Nolan, Bill Henson, Tim Storrier, Tim Maguire, Brett Whiteley, Russell Drysdale, Robert Klippel and Norman Lindsay.

Alison Kelly came to prominence in the art world when in 2000 she opened an Aboriginal art gallery in the Melbourne suburb of Armadale about five years after she completed an art history degree as a mature age student.

The gallery, which subsequently moved to Prahran, closed in 2010 following the adverse impact of the global financial crisis two years earlier – but not before Alison had made strong connections with other art collectors, artists and non-profit Aboriginal-owned art centres where she sourced many of her artworks.

Russell Drysdale (1912-1981) was renowned for providing an artistic commentary of Australia and its inhabitants during the 20^th century – his paintings capturing both the essence of the country and the character of its people.

One, entitled Children Dancing, 1950, (lot 12) is at the forefront of Deutscher and Hackett’s forthcoming Melbourne auction from 7pm Wednesday May 3 at 105 Commercial Road, South Yarra with a catalogue estimate of $1.3-$1.6 million.