Our auction of Sporting Art, Wildlife and Dogs on Wednesday 2 June offers a number of captivating works by Irish artist Peter Deighan who is widely considered as one of the country’s finest Portrait and Sporting Painters.
Born in the county town of Monaghan in 1941, Deighan spent his childhood helping on his uncle’s farm and quickly developed a fascination with horses, an allure that stayed with him throughout his adult life.
At the age of 16, he moved to England and secured himself a job as a trainee welder with Vauxhall Motors, though this profession did little to scratch a creative itch. To satisfy an emerging artistic talent, Deighan began entering works for amateur art competitions and after winning a prize, he was offered a scholarship at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art in London.
With his raw talent now on display, he quickly began receiving commissions from prominent public figures, including the Duke of Bedford, comedian Eric Morecambe, and footballer Jimmy Greaves. He held his first one-man exhibition at the Duke of Bedford’s stately home, Woburn Abbey. This first exhibition was a triumphant success and enabled Deighan to become a full time artist, devoting himself to his main passion in life, painting.
He was able to combine his love of painting with his passion for horses, and established himself a reputation as one of the world's leading equestrian artists. Later, turning his attention to other interests, spending time visiting southern Africa, and consequently painting a series of celebrated wildlife studies.
Proving his versatile appeal, included amongst those who commissioned Deighan to paint their portrait are author Frederick Forsyth, jockey Lester Piggott, and English snooker star Steve Davis. He also secured the first official portrait of Prime Minister, John Major.
He has had his paintings displayed in the annual exhibitions of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Society of Equestrian Artists in London.
View the collection in our auction of Sporting Art, Wildlife and Dogs on Wednesday 2 June.
Featured in the April 23 Homes & Interior sale is a wonderful private collection of Georgian shoe buckles. Inherited from the vendor’s parents, and even from their grandparents, they were acquired over a prolonged period with antique shops and Portobello market being popular hunting grounds.
19 April 2024
The Homes & Interiors Department are delighted to present a collection of military campaign medals. The 33 lots, sold by a local lady whose late husband was a keen collector, include an example of the most famous gallantry medals - the Waterloo Medal.
19 April 2024
The Sculpture Park is an online sale running from 26 April to 19 May featuring over 400 lots which are part of an enormous collection of modern and contemporary sculpture assembled by the renowned artist, collector and dealer, Eddie Powell. With estimates ranging from £200-300 to £400,000-600,000 there is something to suit all budgets.
15 April 2024