The magnificent 1957 John Brack masterpiece, The Boucher Nude, 1957 headlines the important Deutscher and Hackett fine art auction to be held at their Melbourne premises on 27-28 August. Acclaimed as one of Brack’s most important works, it carries an estimate of $ 1,400,000 - $ 1,800,000.

The Boucher Nude, 1957 is one of the paintings from the famous series of nine nudes which the artist exhibited in Melbourne in November 1957. Professor Sasha Grishin, AM, FAHA, The William Dobell Professor of Art History, Australian National University, states in the catalogue essay states it ‘was Brack’s first excursion into painting of the nude, and the series has subsequently become iconic in Australian art. Other paintings from the series, such as Nude in an armchair, 1957, purchased by the National Gallery of Victoria, and Nude with two chairs, 1957, acquired by the Art Gallery of NSW, were both purchased in 1957 directly from Brack’s exhibition.’ Nude on the mattress, 1957, was acquired by the National Gallery of Australia in 1969, while The Bathroom, 1957, was purchased at auction by the same institution in 1998 for what was at the time a record price.

Chris Deutscher, Executive Director, Melbourne said ‘We are delighted to be handling the auction of such a magnificent painting from one of Australia’s most outstanding artists. The results achieved for John Brack’s works in recent years are a true reflection of the artist’s standing in Australian art history. The Bar, sold in April 2006 for $ 3.12m while in May 2007, The Old Time sold for $ 3.36m. John Brack was an artist who was at the forefront of Australian art for over 40 years and we are expecting tremendous interest in The Boucher Nude, 1957- a true masterpiece’.

The auction of 268 works is expected to achieve over $ 7M and is further complemented by major paintings from Australian modern masters, including important works by Charles Blackman, Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, John Olsen Lloyd Rees, Jeffrey Smart, Brett Whiteley, Fred Williams and the highly-acclaimed surrealist, James Gleeson.

Other highlights of this significant 2-night auction include major landscapes from the Heidelberg School greats, Frederick McCubbin and Arthur Streeton and a Tom Roberts portrait of one of his most-admired sitters, Mrs Leonard Dodds.

Contemporary art is well represented with an important work by Bronwyn Oliver, one of Australia’s most highly regarded contemporary practitioners, in addition to sculpture by Robert Klippel and major works by Gordon Bennett, Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, Tim Maguire, Susan Norrie and Imants Tillers.

Ten Highlights from Deutscher and Hackett August Auction

1. John Brack, The Boucher Nude, 1957 $ 1,400,000 - $ 1,800,000

2. Brett Whiteley, View From The Window, Bali, 1978 $ 280,000 - $ 380,000

3. Fred Williams, Blue Kite, Kew Billabong, 1975 $ 280,000 - $ 340,000

4. Frederick McCubbin, Brighton Landscape, 1905 $ 180,000 - $ 240,000

5. Arthur Streeton, Coogee Baths, 1907 $ 160,000 - $ 200,000

6. John Olsen, Burning Trees, Pilbara, 1983 $ 160,000 - $ 200,000

7. Jeffrey Smart, First Study For The President Factory, 2002-03 $ 130,000 - $ 160,000

8. Lloyd Rees, Afternoon in Tuscany,(Tuscan Journey No. 2) c1953
$ 120,000 - $ 160,000

9. Arthur Streeton, San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, 1908 $ 120,000 -$ 160,000

10. Sidney Nolan, Diver, 1945 $ 120,000 - $ 160,000

An online version of the catalogue can be viewed at www.deutscherandhackett.com

For further information contact Julie King, Julie King Publicity, jking1@bigpond.net.au 0412 666 300 or 03 9865 6333

Deutscher and Hackett press release.pdf (97 KB)

Posted: 08|21|08 at 7:19 am. Filed under: Press Release.