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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Brett Whiteley Painting Auctioned in Melbourne

Bonhams & Goodman auction of Australian and International Fine Art in Melbourne, achieved outstanding results with 106% of the lots sold by value and 87% by volume. These statistics were reminiscent of the bull market of recent years.

More than 100 art enthusiasts, dealers and institutional agents crowded the Prahran salerooms. Nine staff manned the telephone bidding tables conducting bids on behalf of many clients unable to attend the auction.

Brett WhiteleyHighlights of the evening included Brett Whiteley’s iconic painting, Justine (Bondi) 1986, estimated to reach between $800,000 – 1,000,000, the painting was knocked down for $960,000.

Albert Tucker’s compelling Footballers 1955, formerly on long-term loan to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, was sold to a private buyer for $360,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $300,000 – 500,000.

James Gleeson’s Sea Wrack Involving the Head of Tristan and Isolde (1947) sold for $144,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $120,000 – 160,000.

Many of the smaller works also sold extremely well, Russell Drysdale’s Soldiers, Albury Station (1842) more than tripled it’s lower estimate when it sold for $25,200.

The sale achieved a total of $3,274,880 including Buyer’s Premium.

“We were greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm demonstrated by private, corporate and institutional collectors, who all competed to secure rare and iconic works, which in several cases had never previously been offered at auction” remarked Geoffrey Smith, Director and National Head of Art, Bonhams & Goodman.

This auction formed the first component of Bonhams & Goodman’s August Fine Art auctions. The Estate of the Late James Gleeson AO will be auctioned in Sydney on Thursday 27 August at 7pm.

Illustrated
Brett Whiteley (1932-1992)
Justine (Bondi) 1986
oil on plywood
152.4 x 122cm
Sold in August for $960,000