Following the biggest redevelopment in its history, the National Portrait Gallery will reopen its doors to the public on 22nd June 2023, with a series of major exhibitions ranging from David Hockney to Paul McCartney photographs. Home to the most extensive collection of portraits globally, the £35.5 million project has helped to put portraiture back on the agenda for collectors worldwide.
Portraits, either of known sitters or anonymous ones, have been consistently some of the most sought-after paintings at the Cheffins Fine Sales. With a number of specialist dealers and collectors solely in the portraiture market and a loyal following of private collectors, we have seen those examples from as early as the 16th century, through to the ModBrit era are all rising in popularity.
Traditional examples in particular, ranging from early Tudor wedding pictures or 18th and 19th century society portraits seem to be hitting the mark at the moment, with consistent price rises at auction. Now featuring widely throughout interior design schemes, traditional portraits appeal to a range of buyers, including those looking to find pictures in keeping with the era of an older country house, or moneyed millennials who are looking to decorate their properties with paintings with a story to tell.
Lot 288, Portrait of Oliver Cromwell
Prices for early Tudor pictures tend to vary from low thousands to a million for a portrait by Holbein or his studio at the top end of the market, with values affected by provenance and condition. Also, the sitter can help affect the value. Some of the most well-known figures in history, such as the great Kings and Queens of England will always help to add a premium to the price. With the 18th and 19th century portraiture, dominated by the circles of Joshua Reynolds or Thomas Gainsborough, again, importance is placed on the sitter. The more well-known members of society or those with some kind of tale or scandal attached always can help add to the value, along with provenance and also clarity of colour. Values for portraits from this era tend to vary from high hundreds to hundreds of thousands, for example, at Cheffins in 2021 a self-portrait of Thomas Gainsborough aged only 13 sold for £116,460 including premium.
At the Fine Sale on 27th and 28th June, there are a series of important portraits set to go under the hammer. With over 75 on offer in total, we have portraits to suit every taste.
One of the most significant is a 16th century portrait of Henry VIII, executed by a follower of Hans Holbein. This important painting is very similar to portraits held in the National Portrait Gallery which were copied after Holbein’s originals during his lifetime. These works by the followers of Holbein became the sanctioned images of the court and were reproduced widely with the intention of propagating the strength of the Tudor dynasty and the authority of the King. This important picture has been consigned from the enormous Barry Lock collection of art and ceramics, which includes seven portraits and 53 portrait miniatures! In addition, there is a well-known copy of a portrait of Oliver Cromwell (pictured above) another of Britain’s most famous historical figures. This 17th century painting was completed by a follower of Robert Walker and has been consigned from a local Cambridgeshire collection.
Lot 286, Portrait of Henry VIII
In addition, this sale’s catalogue includes a number of high quality and accomplished 17th, 18th and 19th society portraits. These are great furnishing pictures as they are large and striking, for example, a picture of a lady in black by a Follower of Sir Anthony van Dyck would create a stunning focal point in any room, measuring at over 120cm by 97cm. Similarly, a large portrait of a lady in blue by the Circle of John Riley is good value for money, with an estimate of £3,000 - £5,000 and has fantastic colours.
Lot 293, Portrait of a Lady
We would like to encourage anyone who is thinking of making a foray into the world of period portraiture to check out the catalogue for this month’s sale. As well as the paintings labelled above, there is a series of more affordable options, including a stunning painting of a lady by the Circle of Michael Dahl which is beautifully painted and has an estimate of £400 -£600. There is also a series of interesting examples of children’s portraits. One of the more important examples is a portrait of Charlotte Monro with a pet canary by the Studio of Sir Henry Raeburn. With a fascinating history and provenance, Charlotte Monro’s nephews, The Binning Children were painted by Raeburn later in the early 19th century and that picture is in the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
Lot 303, Portrait of Charlotte Monro
To view the catalogue for the Fine Sale, please click here.