European art a strong auction feature

European art features strongly in Leonard Joel’s final fine art auction for the year – headlined by French Expressionist Bernard Buffet’s Nature Morte à la Cafetière Verte, held for more than 40 years in the one collection, and Lucien Adrion’s Regatta, France.

The auction, from 6.30pm Tuesday December 2 at 333 Malvern Road South Yarra, contains a private collection of Polish art from the turn of the 20^th century – spearheaded by Jacek Malczewski’s significant Self Portrait 1902.

According to Leonard Joel’s head of art Sophie Ullin, this presents Australian collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire a work by the Polish master, also known as the “Father of polish Symbolism”.

Artworks from the estate of the late Beverly Brown (1949-2012) are another auction feature.

Brown grew up in a Melbourne philanthropic family surrounded by important Australian paintings and became a generous benefactor and astute collector.

This fine collection of 42 traditional, modern, oil and watercolour paintings is representative of many important artists in Australia and overseas including Walter Withers, George Lambert, A.H. Fullwood, Rupert Bunny and Arthur Boyd.

“Many of these works reflect Victorian tastes and fashions and demonstrate allegiances to the latest English and European tendencies of the Royal Academy and the Salon,” Ullin said.

“Highlights from the traditional collection include John Peter Russell’s double sided watercolour Portofino, Italy 1920, Ellis Rowan’s finely painted Australian Native Flower, an early atmospheric Warrandyte Landscape by Godfrey Miller, and beautiful rendering of Gathering Clouds – Dora Creek by Jesse Jewhurst Hilder.”