A PAINTING believed to be one of the first ever sold by renowned Scottish artist Joan Eardley will be up for auction this week.
Documented evidence on the back of the painting Canal Bank includes a letter from Eardley’s first biographer William Buchanan, which was written in 1964 – a year after her death.
It is addressed to the first owner of the painting, Nance Anderson, a leading light in Helensburgh who donated the Templeton Library to the town.
The letter cites a note from a Glasgow art dealer which stated: “Miss Anderson’s picture, along with another, was bought by me direct from the artist for cash on April 16, 1948. The transaction took place in the Glasgow School of Art and I was led to understand that it was her first sale.”
READ MORE: Painting by Scottish artist John Peploe up for auction could fetch up to £500,000
Eardley was one of the most popular and celebrated 20th-century artists and the centenary of her birth is being celebrated this year.
She was born in Sussex in 1921 with her family moving to Scotland after the outbreak of war in 1939. She went on to study at Glasgow School of Art.
The Canal Bank, with an estimate of between £8000 to £12,000, is one of five by Eardley up for sale at Lyon & Turnbull’s bi-annual flagship Scottish Paintings & Sculpture auction on Thursday.
Other works going under the hammer include a collection of paintings by the acclaimed Scottish Colourist Samuel John Peploe and a selection of still-lifes by Anne Redpath.
A special focus on the work of Peploe in the auction will be the culmination of a series of events celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth.
One of the highlights of his works on offer is Roses And Fruit, which has an estimate of between £300,000 and £500,000.
Nick Curnow, head of fine art with Lyon & Turnbull, said: “Our bi-annual Scottish Paintings & Sculpture sale is always one to look forward to.
“This season we are delighted to be offering such a broad range of Scottish art, spanning over three centuries, and are particularly excited about the celebration of Samuel John Peploe’s work.”
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