Gainsborough pencil drawing sold at Tinahely art gallery

11Jul12

Art lovers and investors competed for a rare pencil drawing of famed English artist Thomas Gainsborough at the second art auction hosted by Riverside Art Gallery in Tinahely.

Eventually, the much sought-after prize was won by a telephone bidder at a price that well-exceeded the reserve of 350 euro. The ‘Portrait Study of a Lady’s Head’ was one of fifty pictures sold at the Gallery’s second auction. The Gainsborough was an exception for the night as many of the pictures sold below their reserves. “There were some great bargains to be had and buyers went home very satisfied with their purchases,” says John Kane from Riverside Art Gallery.

A selection of six Harry Kernoff prints was sold for 70 euro, while an exciting abstract by the award-winning Paul Little made just over 300 euro. A number of watercolours by the late Margaret Fisher Prout were targeted by collectors and sold for 200 euro each on average. A number of Noel Lewis acrylics, displaying many local Wicklow scenes, sold below their estimates of 125 – 150 euro. An etching by Graham Knuttle went for 100 euro.

Bargain of the night was an unsigned watercolour of a deer for as little as 10 euro.  Three rather large oils on canvas by Michael Thomas of exciting horse racing scenes went on offer at 300 euro for the lot but, surprisingly, failed to sell. “They can still be purchased at the Gallery and what a bargain they represent.  The same applies to other unsold lots,” adds Kane.

New artwork will also be exhibiting at the centre soon and all exhibitions are open to the public, seven days a week and free of charge. The next art auction at Riverside Art Gallery will be taking place in September.

To see the full collection: www.riversideartgallery.ie

For more information

John Kane, Riverside Art Gallery, 0872066807 johnwkane@eircom.net

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Tags: art auction, art exhibition, art gallery, PR, public relations, Thomas Gainsborough, Tinahely, Wicklow