The late Roger Moss grew up in Yorkshire and was a life-long collector of art and from an early age was exposed to the work of post-war British artists such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. Mr Moss studied Social Anthropology at Cambridge University before following an international career in global finance. He was Finance Director of British Airways during the launch of Concorde, before he went onto become the highly regarded Finance Director of the Mass Transit Railway Corporation in Hong Kong from 1984, finishing his career as a senior advisor to Goldman Sachs. Returning to the UK in 2003, Roger bought an historic farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales where he brought his collections of art and sculpture and his extensive art library. It was from here that he entertained many of his artist friends including Peter Shaw, Dennis Creffield and Norman Adams, who all shared his love of the Yorkshire Dales.
The highlight of the sale is a picture by British artist, David Bomberg (1890 – 1957) who is widely cited as one of the most successful artists who studied at the Slade School of Art under Henry Tonks. It features a scene of clown and dancers from Bomberg’s famed Ghetto Theatre Series. It carries an estimate of £3,000 - £4,000.
In addition, there is a painting by George Chapman (1908 – 1993) titled Signals. Chapman was another pre-eminent artist from the Slade School of Art whose paintings of industrial areas, mainly in South Wales, have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. This picture has an estimate of £2,000 - £3,000.
Other highlights include a landscape by John Piper, a pencil study by Sir Stanley Spencer, and a Grecian landscape by Sheila Fell.
Brett Tryner, Director, Cheffins said: “The pictures available are demonstrative of Roger Moss’s discerning eye for art. He clearly took an academic as well as an aesthetic approach to purchasing art and his collection includes some of the most important artists of the post-war period. As one of the most significant art collectors from the Yorkshire region, we are delighted to be able to offer these works at auction.”
Hugh Moss, Roger Moss’s son comments: “My late father adorned the floors and walls with his farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales with his equally beloved collection of art. Citing himself as a ‘pathological collector’ he often gave talks on ‘Collecting and the Collector’ and welcomed both young and old to his characterful home. His deep intellect and emotional sensitivity are reflected in the art which he purchased and the sale of his artworks now allows others to further enjoy the expression of beauty and form.”
Auction: The Art & Design Sale – 17th September 2020
Location: Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 7EA
For further information contact the Fine Art Department on 01223 213343, fine.art@cheffins.co.uk