GOYA PAINTING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20042, 14 September 1939, Page 15

GOYA PAINTING

RECORD PRICE PAID SUPERB PORTRAIT Not long ago the art world was relieved to learn that the superb pictures by Goya, 1746-1828, in the various Spanish public galleries, had been saved from those ravages of war which the painter himself knew well and had depicted during the French invasion of the Peninsula, writes A. C. R. Carter in the London Daiiy Telegraph. On July 26 at Sotheby's a relative idea of the value of a great Goya portrait was given when the room 'rose to his, rendering of the beautiful Spanish actress, Dona Antonia Zarate, who died of consumption. The picture was in the collection of the late Mrs. Evelyn S. George of Cam House, Campden Hill, The opening hid for the little canvas, 28in. by 22iin., was as> much as £2'ooo. Dr. Borenius and others quickly joined in, but the final bout was between the Knoedlers and Mr. Stevenson Scott.

However, the latter yielded at the call from his opponents of £6BOO. Mrs. Stanley Clarice, the daughter of the late owner, was present, and she informed the writer that her mother had bought this Goya portrait for about £4500. The price realised is an auction maximum. The previous highest, £3465, was paid in 1916 for a portrait of un unknown lady “in black.” Orpcn Pictures

This Goya picture was the outstanding feature of the St. George collection. Some expected that the small El Greco picture of St. Catherine would equal it in auction favour, but after an opening of £3OOO, the contest faded away at £3BOO. The interest then lay in the pictures by Sir William Orpen, R.A., whose 'friendship with the late owner began when he painted her father, George Fisher Baker, of New York. This realised £2OO and was bought by his widow.

As I expected, the chief Orpen portrait proved to be that of himself as “The Man from Aran,” when he was full of life and vigour. Although the bidding began modestly at £SO, it was soon evident that Mr. Dudley Tooth and Mr. A. Bradby were very keen. Yet each had to give way to a determined competitor, who was recognised as the artist’s widow. Lady Orpen, therefore, had the satisfaction of winning her late husband’s portrait at £BBO. As much as £IOOO was called when the Cezanne, “Montagne Sainte Victoire,” was placed upon the saleroom easel. Despite some rapid bidding from all parts of the room, it was understood that the auctioneer’s last call of £4200 was a protective reserve.

Similarly, at £4OOO, Vincent van Gogh’s impression of the olive trees which comforted him in his retreat, at St. Remy was withdrawn from further competition.