ORPEN'S WAR PORTRAITS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 54, 1 September 1926, Page 9

ORPEN'S WAR PORTRAITS

THHTTY-SIX SOLD FOR £13,497

LATE ME. MASSEY'S PICTURE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 24th July

Portraits of both the late Mr. Massey and of Sir Joseph Ward changed hands at Christie's a few days ago. The oceasio.i was the sale of Mr. William Orpen's thirty-six pictures of war-time celebrities.

It may be recalled that the thirtysLs portraits which were done at the time of the Peace Conference, were bought en bloc from the artist by Sir James D.unn, Bt., some years ago at a generous sum. For a time .he was credited with the intention of endowing some public gallery in the Dominion's with the series. But a friend, who knows him well, has stated that he began to fear that such a gift might not be fully appreciated, and that he therefore preferred to send them to Christie's. As the total realised there was 12,855 guineas, those who are in Sir James Dunn's confidence know that this amount is not far short of .the purchase price. The pictures, wonderfully crisp and vital, were painted in Paris, and are mostly sketches for Sir "William's great picture, "The Signing of the Peace in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles," which was exhibited at the Koyal Academy in 1920. The circumstances in which most of these "thumb-nail" impressions were painted are told by Sir William in his book, "An Onlooker in. France," published in 1921. After Mr. Percy Johnson (of Messrs. Leggatt) had given 200 guineas lor the first of the series, the sketch of the Earl of Balfour, mado by Sir William Orpen in three-quarters of an hour, it was soon discerniblo that this competitor was to play a prominent part.. As in the end he acquired twenty-two out of the thirty-six at an outlay of 5130 guineas, it will be recognised that he had a formidable backing behind him. It is understood the principal for whom Mr. Johnson was acting is a London citizen who has filled' the office of Lord Mayor, and who has been, identified with art benefactions to the Guildhall Gallery, and even to American institutions. He instructed Mr, Johnson to bid for every one of the thirty-six.— save two. One of the exceptions was the portrait of Earl Beatty, which, he understood, was greatly desired, by the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, and, acting for that institution, Mr. Johnson won the admiral's portrait at 310 guineas.

£2730 FOR "PRESIDENT WILSON."

I Though the total, £13,497 15s, obJ tamed for the thirty-six portraits was j a little short of Sir James Dunn's original outlay, the prices paid for most of, them were quite good. The highest figure, £.2730, -was given for the excellent portrait of President Woodrow "Wil-' son, who Sir "William said "sat well, but even then, he was very nervous and I twitchy. He told endless stories, most harmless and some witty." This picture will probably now adorn the home of some American millionaire, or perhaps a National Gallery. The second highest price, £567 was for the portrait of General Smuts, "a strong per- | sonality, with great love for his own country, and a fearless blue eye." Mr. Frank Kinder, on behalf of the ITelton Bequest, gave £504: for the picture of that "giant among men," Louis Botha. This is to hang in ffie National Gallery of Victoria at Melbourne. THE NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTERS. Tne portrait of Mr. Massey ivas sold at 310 guineas. A mild sensation was caused by the auction of the picture of Sir Joseph Ward. It was knocked down for 110 guineas, and then put up to auction again, after a dispute, finally realised 180 guineas. Other notable portraits included one of "that quiet, thoughtful, friendly person," ' Sir Robert Laird Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, which went to Messrs. Gooden and UTox for £504. The same purchasers also gave £472 10s for the impression of President "Wilson's confidential adviser, Colonel K. K. House, £420 for the Bight Hon. W. M. Hughes, and £399 for Colonel T. E. Lawrence. These pictures are to remain in this country. The portraits of Olemenceau and Lloyd George, which went to Messrs. Agnew for £420 and £304 respectively, are destined for an American art collection, as is that of General Pershing, wliieh cost Messrs. Knoedler £525. MB. WOLF HARRIS'S COLLECTION. In addition to the Orpen pictures, a number of the late Mt. "Wolf Harris's collection were sold. These included T. G. Cooper, "Nine Cows in Canterbury Meadows/ 1877, 170 guineas (Mitchell); J. S. Lucas, "The InteTva.l," 1905, 120 guineas (Sampson); John Pettio, "The Sisters," 125 guineas (Mite-hell); and Six E. J. Poynter, "The Cave of the Storm Nymphs," 1902, 300 guineas (Stow). Mr. J. .B. Shaw was an interested spectator of" the Orpon paintings.

If all London's lofuse wcip luirnnil in ninrlerp. destrnrlors.il. is eetinjabed that.