Beginning on July 8 through July 13, Waddington’s offers a truly splendid array. Their upcoming auction features artwork spanning from the Old Masters to the 19th century, oil, watercolor, and everything in between. See several of the highlights below, and be sure to peruse their catalog!
Hermanus Willem Koekkoek (1867-1929)
Koekkoek was the eldest son of a Dutch cityscape painter, and inherited his father’s artistry. Working in both London and Amsterdam, he was best known for his military scenes. An incredible amount of research went into each piece, with a particular focus on the Franco-Prussian War; these depictions were published by the likes of The Illustrated London News, The Sketch, The Royal Magazine, and Williams & Sutch. This featured oil, entitled “Ships Battling a Storm,” is a wonderful example.
Francesco Ballesio (1860-1923)
Following Ballesio’s studies at the Accademia Albertina, he moved to Rome. He was part of a showing at the 1883 International Exhibition, and became a highly sought-after artist by American and English collectors. Influenced by the work of Bartolomeo Pinelli, Ballesio is known primarily for his romantic style, depicting the Roman Campagna. This watercolor, “Female Musician at Rest,” is emblematic of his color work.
François-Hubert Drouais (1727-1775)
Drouais, a native Parisian, was the foremost portraitist during Louis XV’s later years. Received into the Académie royale in 1758, Drouais exhibited at the Louvre Salons until his death, and was quickly appointed premier peintre to the future Louis XVIII. Throughout his prestigious career, Drouais crafted paintings of Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, Madame du Barry, and Marie Antoinette, to name but a few. This particular oil is of La Duchesse de Chartres, and is estimated at $18,000.
After Sir Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641)
A Flemish artist born to a silk merchant, Van Dyck found himself as Rubens’s most important assistant. By 1620, his works were nearly as renowned as his mentor’s. He traveled often in an attempt to rise above Rubens himself: throughout Van Dyck’s career, he painted for Belgium, England, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. His patrons included Maria de' Medici, the Prince of Orange, James I, and George Villiers. This piece, “Sampson and Delilah,” is a beautiful example of his work.
Sidney Richard Percy (1821-1886)
A member of the famed Williams family, Percy exhibited at the Royal Academy, the British Institution, and the Suffolk Street Gallery from the age of 21 onward. He found a patron in Prince Albert—a Percy painting still resides in the Royal Collection—and his deepest inspiration in the landscapes of Wales and Scotland. This oil, “Cattle Drinking by the Water,” is truly Percy perfection.
Frederick Morgan (1856-1927)
Morgan was born to be an artist. Pulled out of school at 14 to practice his craft, he exhibited at the Royal Academy at the age of 16; he would continue to do so until his death. Specializing in idyllic genre scenes, namely that of the countryside and childhood, Morgan’s work was frequently purchased by Thomas Agnew & Sons. This piece, “Your Turn Next,” is a lovely example.
