Picture Perfect | Our Top Picks - Spring 2023

Amy Scanlon, Head of Modern & Contemporary Art

I started my career working for Chris Beetles – a world leading dealer of cartoons and illustrations. During this time, I had the privilege of working with many of the contemporary greats. Growing up, I was a huge fan of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake, so it was fantastic to meet the illustrator himself. He is just as lovely as I had hoped and willingly signed my childhood dog-eared books.

Although lot 60 is a preliminary work for a shoe shop advertisement, it works just as well as a standalone piece of art.  Blake brings his fun, imaginative and unique style to everything he designs, he has the ability to tell a story with a few strokes of the pen, bringing joy to the viewer.

^{Sir Quentin Blake CH (b.1932) - 'Louis XIV and Charles VIII' (£800-1,200)}

Marianne Richardson, Picture Department Cataloguer 

Out of all the works in Paint.Print.Sculpt, my favourite is ‘C’ by the Scottish painter and printmaker Craigie Aitchison. The brightly coloured screen print is whimsical and cheerful; evoking fond memories of childhood birthday parties and donkey rides at the seaside. The print is also beautifully presented and ready to hang straight on the wall, where I am sure its bold colours and playful motifs will bring its new owner lots of joy! 

^{Craigie Aitchison (1926-2009) 'Donkey Candlestick' (£1,000-1,500)}

Amelia Hone, Picture Department Assistant 

My take home piece for our ‘Paint. Print. Sculpt’ sale would be the Edward Bawden 'The Temple of Concord, Audley End'. This watercolour really captures the beginning of an English Summer. The verdant green grass, full leaved trees, and blue hazy sky, one can almost smell the grass clippings and hear the birds singing in the trees. The tree is at the centre of the composition with the branches and leaves cascading over the top of the picture portraying that ethereal dappled light which dances between the leaves if you sit beneath a tree on a summer’s afternoon. Edward Bawden is perhaps best known for his bold graphic linocuts; however, he is also a delicate and thoughtful painter and I believe this painting showcases his skills as a watercolourist beautifully.

^{Edward Bawden RA (1903-1989) 'The Temple of Concord, Audley End' (£2,000-3,000)}

To browse the full catalogue please visit this link. 

For further information, please contact Amelia Hone | pictures@sworder.co.uk