Deutscher and Hackett have put together an exceptional end of year sale with 161 lots. No million dollar estimates here, but if a painting deserved to get close, it would be John Brack’s portrait of art dealer Tam Purves from 1958.
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Portraits can often be just that. This work transcends any notion of just being a portrait.
It is a truly magnificent painting by the artist at the peak of his creative talent. Masterful and a masterpiece. This painting deserves to do exceptionally well. And here is the rundown on some of David’s favourite pics: |
Lot 8 – John Brack, Portrait of Tam Purves, 1958. Est. $ 400,000-600,000. Art dealt beautifully
Lot 9 – Fred Williams, Pond, Listerfield, 1966. Est. $ 240,000-300,000. Retrospective has us wanting more
Lot 22 – Peter Booth, Painting (Head with Cloth Wra), 2002. Est. $ 35,000-45,000. Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Powerful Paintings
Lot 26 – Tim Maguire, Untitled 20031204, 2003/04. Est. $70,000-90,000. One of his berry best
Lot 29 – William Buelow Gould, Still life with Flowers and Fruit, c. 1851 Est. $45,000-55,000. Far from a still life
Lot 33 – Fred Williams, Australian Landscape, c. 1969-70. Est. $30,000-40,000. Retrospective also has us wanting less
Lot 34 – John Brack, Portrait of Fred Williams, 1979. Est $40,000-50,000. Perfect portrait
Lot 42 – Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger, 1975. Est. $35,000-45,000. You can’t always get what you want
Lot 54 – Kate O’Connor, Nurse with baby in Luxembourg Gardens, c. 1911. Est. $12,000-18,000. Brushstroke Bliss
Lot 56 – Margaret Olley, Spring Flowers in Blue and Red Vases, 1947. Est. $20,000-25,000. Good Golly, an early Olley.
Lot 62 – Elaine Haxton, Paddlers, 1959. Est. $ 10,000-15,000. Haxton is back
Lot 64 – Donald Friend, Hill End, 1948. Est. $ 8,000-12,000. Inspiration for generations
Lot 73 – Walter Withers, Eltham Road, 1913. Est. $8,000-12,000. A road less travelled
Lot 93 – Max Dupain, Moira in mirror, 1951. Est. $ 4,000-6,000. Max for Nix
Lot 96 – Ben Quilty, Untitled, 2001, ‘Paris’ series. Est. $ 4,500-6,000. Untypical work, untypical price
Lot 102 – Bern Emmerichs, All Abroad, 2008. Est. $4,000-6,000. Beautiful boat people
Lot 111 – Ricky Swallow, As I come back, 2002. Est. $ 2,000-3,000. Skullicious
Lot 119 – Anne Noble, Ruby’s Room #23, 1998-2004. Hair lip?
Lot 123 – Deborah Paauwe, Crimson Autograph, 2002. Est. $2,000-3,000. Sign here please
Lot 149 – John Brack, On the Rings, 1976. Est. $8,000-12,000. Very rare, time to snare