Submitted by aarAdmin on Mon, 04/11/2022 - 00:00
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 141 per cent 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.
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).
