DUKE'S PICTURES SOLD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1920, Page 14

DUKE'S PICTURES SOLD.

£52,000 GUINEAS FOR ROMNEY. One of the most important picture sjdes of modern times began at Christie's recently, when the collection of family portraits and modern paintings were sold by the trustees of the late IJuke of Hamilton. The first day realised £IOB,937.

The outstanding feature of the sale was the Romney Picture of the Beckford children. It was expected that the artist's record price of 34,000gn5. for a portrait would be eclipsed, but the amount actually raised was a genuine surprise. Bidding started at 10,000 guineas, and went up by bids of 1000 guineas as quickly as the auctioneer could record the oilers. Soon all Romney records were passed, and when the auctioneer had called 52,000 guineas three times the hammer fell to Mr. Duveen.

This is the same figure as was realised earlier ill the year for Sir Joshua Reynold's portrait of Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse. Romney's portrait of William Beckford as a boy realised 16,000 guineas, also purchased by Messrs Duveen. The portrait, "Alderman William Beckford," twice Lord Mayor o'f London, realised ] 2,500 guineas. The four Romney subjects realised in all SI,OOO guineas. For his work on those pictures the artist probably received not more than £3OO. Three Raeburn portraits of the Dukes of Hamilton brought in a combined total of 18,300 guineas. Then came the Reynolds subjects. The poi trait of Elizabeth Gunning was secured by Mr. Fox for 7000 guineas. He also obtained for 6000 guineas the artist's "Mrs. Peter Beckford." A picture of the tenth Duke of Hamilton when a boy realised the astonishing figure of 12,500 guineas given by Mr. Alee. Reid, of Glasgow. The four Revaoldses brought in over 32,000 guineas.