Bonhams will offer no fewer than seven magnificent Elizabeth Frink bronzes in the next 20th Century British and Irish Art Sale on November 14th in New Bond St, London. In total they are expected to sell in excess of £400,000.
Dame Elizabeth Frink’s subject matter included men, birds, dogs, horses and religious motifs, but very seldom any female forms. This is reflected in the collection in this sale. Among the works are three animal images ‘Leonardo’s Dog II’, ‘Dead Rabbit’ and ‘Boar’. Dame Elisabeth Frink CH, DBE, RA was an English sculptor and printmaker. Her obituary in The Times noted: “The three essential themes in her work as the nature of Man; the “horseness” of horses; and the divine in human form.”
Frink, one of the greatest British 20th Century sculptors, died from cancer on 18 April 1993, aged 62. Critics have pointed out that the rugged, brutal and often contorted surfaces in her work could be evidence of a post war mood that reflected the destruction, terror and brutalisation of nearly six years of conflict.
Dame Elizabeth spent the early part of the war in Suffolk and witnessed the air war, she saw damaged aircraft returning on fire, and the tangled remains of fighter and bomber planes crashed into the peaceful countryside. Such shocking images may provide the clue for the broken surfaces and violently contorted forms in her work which seem to reflect the harrowing and immediate experience of the war.
The works in this sale include:
Leonardo’s Dog II signed and numbered ‘Frink 5/6’ and marked with the foundry stamp (left hind leg) bronze with brown patina 100.5 cm. (39.5 in.) high. Conceived in 1992. Estimated to sell for £250,000-350,000.
Midas Head signed and numbered ‘Frink 2/10’ bronze with a green patina
28 cm. (11 in) high. Conceived in 1989. Estimated to sell for £40,000-60,000. This work is seemingly influenced by Henry Moore’s Helmet Heads (1950), Frink’s Midas Head (also referred to as Midas Mask or simply Mask) was made in dialogue with a television program The Midas Touch which was produced by Frink’s stepson Mark Csáky. The work represents a pivotal moment in Frink’s approach to her later sculptures and the continued exploration of her beloved medium of bronze.
Dead Rabbit bronze on a steel base103 cm. (40 1/2 in.) high. Unique. Estimated to sell for £40,000-60,000.
Running Man I signed and numbered ‘1/8 FRINK’ (on the base) bronze 36.2 cm. (14 1/4 in.) high. Conceived in 1976. Estimated to sell for £25,000-35,000.
Boar
signed and numbered ‘Frink 1/7’ (on the base) bronze with a brown patina 21.5 cm. (8 1/2 in.) long Conceived in 1968. Estimate £25,000-35,000.
Harbinger Bird III
signed and numbered ‘FRINK 2/9’ (on the base) bronze with a brown patina 43.8 cm. (17 1/4 in.) high (including base). Estimate £20,000-30,000.
Study for Standard II signed and numbered ‘Frink 0/0’ (on the base)
bronze with a brown patina 49.8 cm. (19 2/3 in.) high (including Base). Conceived in 1965. Estimate £6,000-8,000
