Bonhams to hold its first major exhibition of Welsh painting in Cardiff, auction to follow in March

CARDIFF.- A stunning art exhibition featuring some of the greatest 20th Century Welsh artists will be held by Bonhams, the international fine are auction house, in Cardiff on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd February. The exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 3pm at Bonhams, 7-8 Park Place, Cardiff.

An auction that features many of the pictures in the exhibition will take place on 6th March, 2013 at Bonhams, New House, 150 Christleton Road, Chester.

Visitors to the exhibition in Cardiff will be able to catch a glimpse of Wales through the eyes of some of its great painters, including John Piper, Ceri Richards and the ever popular and iconic, Sir Kyffin Williams.

From the beautiful, wild ruggedness of north Wales mountainous landscapes to characters on the streets of Swansea, all of Wales is represented in oil paints, watercolour or drawings. The sale boasts some truly magnificent works though there is likely to be something for every pocket with estimates ranging from £200 to £22,000.

Amongst the 20 lots of Sir Kyffin’s work on offer there is an unusual and atmospheric oil painting of ‘Llanryhwydrus’ (lot 203), the church of the artist’s grandfather, stunningly portrayed on a hill-top almost silhouetted against an extensive sky – quintessentially Kyffin Williams. It is estimated at £15,000 to £20,000. Photo: Bonhams.

“Bonhams has for many years been associated with selling Welsh art”, says Jeff Muse, Regional Director, “So it’s a delight to have so many top class pieces to show in Cardiff prior to being offered for sale”. Many of the art works have been consigned for sale by clients living in Wales. The Chester auction will feature over 70 fresh to the market pictures.

A stunning oil by Sir Kyffin Williams, ‘Moon over Crib Goch’ (lot 196) is estimated at £12,000 to £18,000, a view much favoured by the late Sir Kyffin. More unusual, and bound to cause a stir amongst collectors, is a group of self portrait caricatures (lot 213) of Sir Kyffin, portraying himself as a footballer and Venetian gondolier among other amusing, satirical guises. Each small pen and ink drawing was compiled by Sir Alex Gordon (1917-1999), the Cardiff based modernist architect and former president of RIBA, during a correspondence with the artist over a number of years. Sir Alex Gordon was born in Swansea and had a passionate interest in art, accumulating an impressive private collection, which included many paintings by Sir Kyffin Williams. Many of these works were donated to the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea. Numbering 45 sketches they are estimated at £4,000 to £6,000 for the collection.

Amongst the 20 lots of Sir Kyffin’s work on offer there is an unusual and atmospheric oil painting of ‘Llanryhwydrus’ (lot 203), the church of the artist’s grandfather, stunningly portrayed on a hill-top almost silhouetted against an extensive sky – quintessentially Kyffin Williams. It is estimated at £15,000 to £20,000.

Important names in the world of modern British painting feature in the exhibition. Two such are John Piper and his view of ‘Penrhyndeudraeth’, (lot 228) a bold and striking mixed media on board, estimate £6,000 to £8,000 and the beautiful ‘Sunrise’ by Ceri Richards (lot 243) dated 1962 executed in chalk and gouache on sandpaper, estimate £4,000 to £6,000. Another Ceri Richards dated 1953 (lot 242) in pen and ink wash from his famous piano player series is estimated at £5,000 to £7,000.

With further work by many of Wales’ famous artists such a Will Roberts, Gwilym Pritchard, Warren Williams, Joseph Herman, John Knapp-Fisher and others it promises to be an exhibition and sale not to be missed.