On 22 October we have our Modern and Contemporary Art auction. Amongst the highlights is Lot 110, this oil painting by Australian artist David Boyd, titled 'Pathway Through the Mountains'.
David Boyd (1924-2011) was one of the most iconic and significant Australian artists of the 20th century whose talent strengthened the family's artistic dynasty. Boyd's primary focus was colonial history and he created many works relating to the history of aboriginal Tasmanians in Australia. Some of these works caused controversy amongst contemporary Australian critics but his fluid landscape paintings captured emotion through colour and became renowned with the Boyd artistic dynasty.
Through splashes of colour Boyd has captured the children playing in the pass through the mountains creating an almost dreamlike effect with white cockatoos swooping down around their heads. Boyd loved to experiment and discovered a method of using candle flame in 1966. He named the technique Sfumato, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci who had used the word to describe graduations of misty tones.
In 1985 the present work was exhibited in Paddington, New South Wales by the Wagner Art Gallery in their exhibition 'Four Seasons'. Subsequently, it was purchased by Rear Admiral Sir Joesph Henley KCVO CB. Thence by descent it was given to the present owner in 1999.
Rear Admiral Sir Joseph Henley KCVO CB and Lady Henley moved permanently to Sydney in the late 1960s after his retirement from the Royal Navy. His final naval appointment was as the Flag Officer Royal Yachts (FORY), in command of HMY Britannia 1961-1965.
AUCTION DETAILS
Thursday 22 October | 10.30am
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
This is an online auction with auctioneer.
VIEWING:
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