2011 marked an unprecedented year for the category of 20th Century British and Irish Art, with Christie’s realising the highest sale total for the category at the inaugural Evening Sale in November (£23.6 million), and setting the two highest prices for any work in the category when both Piccadilly Circus, London, 1960, and The Football Match, 1949, by L.S. Lowry, R.A.(1887-1976) each sold for £5.6 million, in November and May respectively.
L.S. Lowry, R.A.(1887-1976) Industrial Landscape: Stockport Viaduct, 1958, Estimate: £1,200,000-1,800,000
Building on this, Christie’s London sets the tone for the 2012 sales in this field with a stellar array of important works, both in the 20th Century British and Irish Art Evening Sale (45 lots), on Wednesday 23 May, and the Day Sale (161 lots), on the 24 May. The star lot of the series is an exemplary oil, Industrial Landscape: Stockport Viaduct, 1958, by Lowry (estimate: £1,200,000-1,800,000), which leads a total of 22 oils and drawings offered over the two sales. A celebration of the key 20th century movements in this category, Christie’s presents significant paintings by Edward Burra, Stanley Spencer and Ivon Hitchens alongside a strong group of sculpture and works by the Scottish Colourists; London School Artists; St Ives Artists; Neo-Romantics, Pop artists and Irish Art led by Aïda, a Moorish Maid by Sir John Lavery, R.A., R.H.A., R.S.A. (1856-1941) (estimate: £150,000-250,000). Together, the Evening Sale and Day Sale feature over 300 lots, with estimates ranging from £500 to £1.2 million – providing wonderful opportunities for both new and established collectors. They are expected to realise in excess of £12 million (Evening Sale: £9 million/Day Sale: £3 million).