Roseberys’ Winter Modern British Sales Achieve £561,275, Setting a World Record for Gertrude Alice Meredith Williams

Roseberys concluded its 2024 pictures auctions with three successful Modern British & 20th Century Art sales, achieving a combined hammer total of £561,275 and setting a world record for Scottish Artist Gertrude Alice Meredith Williams. The work was included in the sale of the private collection of Mary and Alan Hobart, founders of Pyms Gallery, which achieved an 80% sell through rate.

A bronze by Scottish sculptor Gertrude Alice Meredith Williams realised a price of £11,808. This is the highest price for a work by the artist sold at auction.* Williams was represented in Modern Scottish Women (7 Nov 2015 — 26 Jun 2016) at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and collaborated with the architect Robert S. Lorimer on three major war memorials, most famously the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh (1927). 

Part I of the Modern British & 20th Century Art sales (Early Modern to Post War) was led by a sensitive bronze after the French sculptor Aristide Maillol, which realised a price of £47,040. After competitive bidding on the phones and online, the sculpture went to a buyer in France. The figure of the baigneuse debout (standing bather) came with strong provenance, from the collection of Francis Haskell, FBA (1928-2000). Francis Haskell was one of the most distinguished and internationally admired art historians of his generation and Professor of Art History at Oxford from 1967-1995. The present work was an overmolding made during the artist's lifetime.

A further sculpture by American Expressionist Leonard Baskin highlighted the sale, realising a price of £11,152. The sale included a major selection of works by Baskin, showcasing one of the most comprehensive collections of his work to come to market.

Part II of the Modern British sale (Pop to Contemporary) was led by a vibrant 1981 work by Keith Haring, which realised a price of £20,992. This work is a classic example of Haring's visual language. Drawing on plastic wrap over an existing drawing is demonstrative of his playful and experimental nature, akin to the subway drawings he began creating prolifically during this time.  

Lot 40: After Aristide Maillol, French 1861-1944, Baigneuse debout, deuxième version, 1900; Price Realised: £47,040 (Modern British & 20th Century Art Part I) 

Lot 295: Keith Haring, American 1958-1990 - Untitled; Price Realised: £20,992 (Modern British & 20th Century Art Part II) 

Lot 1018: Gertrude Alice Meredith Williams, British 1877-1934 - The Lovers, 1901; Price Realised: £11,808 (The Collection of Mary and Alan Hobart, Founders of Pyms Gallery)

Lot 1046: Leonard Baskin, American 1922–2000 - Prometheus, c.1948; Price Realised: £11,152

Lot 481: Maria Filopoulou, Greek b.1964 - Swimmers; Price Realised: £11,152

High res images available for editorial use here. Please credit Roseberys. 
For media enquiries please contact: aliciaglenn@roseberys.co.uk

Operating in London for more than 30 years, Roseberys Fine Art Auctioneers is a privately owned specialist fine art and antiques auction house and valuers, located in the heart of South London.

The team of world renowned experts and consultants offer both buyers and sellers a range of specialist art market services and a calendar of over 30 specialist auctions a year covering all areas of Asian Arts, Islamic & Indian Art, Jewellery & Watches, Old Master, 18th & 19th Century Art, Modern British & Contemporary British Art, Urban & Contemporary Prints & Multiples, 20th Century Art & Design, Impressionist, Modern, Post War & Contemporary Art and Decorative Arts, Fine & Decorative sales including Silver, Ceramics, Works of Art and Furniture.

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