7th Oct, 2025 10:00
Modern and Contemporary Art
53
▲ Ken Howard RA (1932-2022)
'August Bank Holiday', 2004
signed 'Ken Howard' l.r., inscribed with title and dated '04' on stretcher verso, oil on canvas
91 x 183cm
Provenance: With Richard Green.
This expansive canvas by Ken Howard RA is one of the most impressive and ambitious works by the artist to come to auction in recent years. Painted in 2004, 'August Bank Holiday' showcases Howard’s masterful handling of light and composition on a grand scale. Howard frequently painted beach scenes and had a long-standing connection to Cornwall, where he maintained a studio in the fishing village of Mousehole. It’s a painting full of warmth, movement and colour - capturing the spirit of a British summer holiday with the clarity and confidence that defined his mature style.
Ken Howard was widely admired for his exceptional ability to capture light with both precision and sensitivity. Whether painting the busy streets of London, the shimmering canals of Venice, or the rugged harbours of Cornwall, his work consistently reflects a deep understanding of how light defines space and atmosphere. He was elected a Royal Academician in 1991 and remained committed throughout his career to painting from life. Working en plein air was central to his practice, allowing him to respond directly to his surroundings and to distil the essence of a scene with immediacy and clarity. His paintings are not only technically accomplished but also rooted in a genuine connection to place and moment.
'August Bank Holiday' reflects Howard’s love of everyday life and his instinct for turning fleeting moments into something lasting. The scale, assured brushwork, and luminous palette make this a standout example of his later work - full of vitality and the joy of a day at the beach.
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Sold for £26,000
Condition Report
Framed: 116 x 206cm
Appears to be in good condition. Well presented and ready to hang. Not examined under UV light, for a full report please contact the department.
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Auction: Modern and Contemporary Art, 7th Oct, 2025
Viewing
London Viewing | Highlights
A selection of lots will be on view Tuesday 9 - Friday 26 September at our London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ, as follows:
Monday-Friday, 11am - 5.30pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
For more information, please contact 0203 971 2500 | london@sworder.co.uk
Stansted Viewing | Auction
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 3 October, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 5 October, 10am - 1pm
Monday 6 October, 10am - 4pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
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