As a nation of animal lovers, it is no surprise that paintings of animals have long been a very popular area of collecting for the British Public. Be that pictures of our own domestic animals, or scenes that echo our nostalgia for the English Countryside and traditional sporting pursuits, we have adorned our houses with them for centuries.
The sale encompasses oil paintings, watercolours, prints and sculptures from the 17th Century to the present day, including a section of taxidermy fish and birds. The different categories within the sale ensure a varied content, from traditional 18th and 19th Century hunting and equestrian subjects, to racing pictures, ornithological and wildlife art, also including paintings of dogs. For collectors it provides an eclectic mix of styles, genres and price points from the mid hundreds upwards in a variety of mediums to suit any home including work by the finest animal artists of the present day.
We are currently inviting entries and looking for work by artists including George Earl, John Emms, John Ferneley, Heywood Hardy, John Cyril Harrison, John Frederick Herring, Sir Alfred Munnings, John Nost Sartorius, Sir Peter Markham Scott, James Seymour, David Shepherd, Archibald Thorburn, Arthur Wardle, George Wright to name but a few.
All works are carefully appraised and catalogued by our experienced specialist, Jane Oakley. Jane joined us in 2017 from Sotheby's where she was a director in the British Art Post 1850 Department and head of Scottish Art. She has a broad knowledge of British and Continental paintings and was previously head of the Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite and British Impressionist, Maritime and Sporting Art departments at Christie's.
If you would like to speak to our specialist or arrange a valuation either at our Stansted, Hertford or London offices, or a home visit, please contact Jane Oakley on the email below.
Our specialists hold regular valuation days. Please contact us for more information, or complete the online valuation form to enquire about the auction value of your items.
Valuation days at Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers are always a treasure trove of fascinating stories and remarkable discoveries. One such story this month involves a unique piece linked to the acclaimed artist David Hockney, unveiled by a vendor with a deeply personal connection to the artwork.
13 August 2024
As the gavel readies to strike at Sworders' upcoming Old Masters, British and European art auction, the canvases tell tales of feminine divinity, sanctity, virtue, elegance, and natural beauty. This collection offers a fascinating journey through the multifaceted representations of women, each portrayal a reflection of societal values and artistic sensibilities of the time.
21 June 2024
Edward Atkinson Hornel was a notable Scottish painter associated with the Glasgow Boys, a group of influential artists who sought to break away from traditional Victorian art styles. Born in Bacchus Marsh, Australia, Hornel moved to Scotland at an early age, where he later developed his distinctive style, which combined elements of impressionism and post-impressionism.
3 June 2024
