Collectors Of Sporting Art Have British Masters In Their Sights At Bonhams' Sale

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Sporting Art - Rough shooting with two pointers Next
week’s Sporting & Ornithological Pictures sale at Bonhams
Knightsbridge holds an exciting selection for enthusiasts of
the genre. Works by Thorburn, Turner, Wheelwright, Munnings
and Landseer will go under the hammer on 27 July 2005 in Montpelier
Street.

Pictured right: J. Turner
(British, fl.1872) Rough shooting with two pointers, 110.7 x
85.2 cm (39 5/8 x 33 1/2 in)
Estimate: £8,000 – 12,000

Of great beauty, and particular interest, is a chalk sketch
by Sir Edwin Landseer (1802 – 1873). The ‘Study of a Dead Stag’
demonstrates the sensitive handling and sentimental treatment
of his subjects, yet at once capturing the character and gravity
of such animals. Landseer, a favourite artist of Queen Victoria,
is now acknowledged as one of Britain’s most important artists
of the 19th century. He created one of London’s most famous
sights, the lions which flank Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square.
His handling of death in this sketch complements the expertise
demonstrated in his works in oil on canvas, such as the well-known
‘The Dying Stag.’

A grand painting by J. Turner signed and dated 1867 will doubtless
appeal to those fond of dogs and game shooting. ‘Rough shooting
with two pointers’ is estimated at £8,000 – 12,000 and
displays a country gentlemen in hunting clothes holding a rifle,
his two loyal pointers at his feet. He emerges from an autumnal
forest, the countryside stretching out far behind him, and lifts
a hand to indicate that he has spied a potential shot.

The sale’s top lots are several fine watercolours by Archibald
Thorburn (1860 – 1935): Black Game Disturbed (1882); Red Grouse
in Flight and Grey Partridge in Flight (both 1901), each of
which is expected to fetch around £18,000. These works
are particularly notable since they come in their original frames
and continue to display a bold colour, dating from a time when
Thorburn’s skill was at its height.

With prices starting in the low hundreds, this 166 lot-strong
sale has something to offer all lovers of sporting art. Viewing
will take place from Sunday 24 July at Bonhams, Montpelier Street,
Knightsbridge.

For more details visit the Bonhams
web site.