A collection of over 70 works by the sporting artist, Peter Biegel, will go under the hammer at the Cheffins Fine Sale on 22nd and 23rd June.
Consigned by a member of Peter Biegel’s family, the works come from the late artist’s studio in Somerset, and have never been offered at auction before.
Topping the collection are three oil paintings, titled ‘Riding off to cover’, ‘A highland valley’ and ‘Fishing in a highland landscape’ which have presale estimates of £300 - £500 apiece.
Also available are a number of sporting studies, including ink and pencil drawings, watercolours, folios of pencil sketches and drawings with artist’s annotations, one includes Peter Biegel’s self-portrait on his horse Florence. Another interesting lot is a signed and illustrated letter from Lionel Edwards which was written to a 12-year-old Biegel, in response to a request for a sketch, circa 1926. This is sold together with Peter Biegel’s personal notes, outlining his first meeting with Lionel Edwards, who would go on to be his tutor at Bournemouth School of Art. This lot has an estimate of £100 - £200.
Peter Biegel was born in Croxley Green, Hertfordshire in 1913 and had an early passion for horses. He studied drawing at the Lucy Kemp-Welch School in Bushey. The onset of WWII suspended his studies and he served with the Wiltshire Regiment until he was wounded and returned home, whereupon, after the war, he enrolled at the Bournemouth School of Art.
From 1948 onwards, Peter Biegel established himself as one of Britain’s greatest sporting artists.
Patricia Durdikova, Head of Old Master & 19th century paintings at Cheffins, says: “Peter Biegel is one of the greats of 20th century British Sporting art and the favourite of owners and trainers including HM the Queen. Having been left in his studio since his death in 1987, this collection of paintings and drawings has been handed down through the family and now will be offered to auction for the first time. These studies and sketches are likely to have formed the basis of some of Peter Biegel’s most famous paintings, and for collectors of sporting art, they present a fantastic opportunity to buy an original work by one of the best artists in the field without the massive price tag. The studio works provide a great insight into one of the UK’s most celebrated sporting artists and give a window into his personality. We expect the collection to draw great interest at the sale.”
The works are offered in 23 lots in total.
The painting will be offered as part of The Fine Sale at Cheffins on 22nd June. For more information, contact Cheffins Fine Art Auctioneers on 01223 213343.