Fine Art

Sir John Lavery's Tennis Painting Serves an Ace, Leading A Taste for Art : Selected Works from the Paisley Art Institute Collection

27 September 2024

Sir John Lavery's Paisley Lawn Tennis Club (illustrated above) depicting Paisley socialites at a tennis party in 1889 sold in Taste for Art: Selected Works from the Paisley Art Institute Collection on the evening of Thursday 26 September for more than half a million pounds.

Paisley Lawn Tennis Club by the Belfast-born ‘Glasgow Boy’ achieved a price of £537,700*, leading an exciting auction of selected works from the prestigious Paisley Art Institute Collection.

It was one of many highlights from the much anticipated auction.

A Taste for Art : Selected Works from The Paisley Art Institute Collection

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A Taste for Art : Selected Works from the Paisley Art Institute Collection

F.C.B Cadell’s 'Pink and Gold'

Scottish Colourist F.C.B Cadell’s stunning portrait of a woman that epitomises the celebration of feminine elegance and a sophisticated lifestyle for which Cadell is renowned, titled Pink and Gold, sold for £250,200*.

And, in an intense period of pre-sale excitement, George Henry’s Banks of Allan Water triptych, a ‘forgotten’ masterpiece created in 1888, sold privately to a Scottish collector for £237,650*, keeping the three works together as the artist originally envisaged and as the PAI always hoped for.

The buyer, who is based in Scotland, has expressed the hope it will be displayed at some point in a public institution.

Commenting on the sale of Henry’s three linked paintings which illustrate Spring, Autumn and Winter from a popular contemporary ballad about the central Scottish waterway, PAI President Joe Hargan said:

“We, the Trustees of the PAI, are delighted that George Henry’s concept of the triptych has been bought as a whole. The best result for a wonderful work and our thanks go to the patron.”

The total raised from the sale of works – representing around a quarter of PAI’s collection – was £1.63 million (inclusive of buyer’s premium). A sizeable portion of this figure will contribute to the ongoing effort to secure the 148-year old artist-led charity’s future.

“It was a delight to be on the rostrum and see so much interest in a wonderful range of Scottish artists. It was particularly heartening to see such appreciation for works by Glasgow Girls, Stansmore Richmond Leslie Dean and Olive Carleton Smyth, as well as determined bidding for David Forrester Wilson, F.C.B Cadell and Stanley Curister.”
Nick Curnow, Head of Fine Art

The organisation recently forged a partnership with Glasgow Art Club and is now based in the club’s historic building in Glasgow’s Bath Street.

Paisley Art Institute has been at the forefront of promoting and supporting Scottish artists’ work since 1876. It is a lively artists collective run by artists and art lovers which continues to be focused on its original aims including its annual large-scale exhibition for contemporary artists, now in its 135th year.

Sold for £57,700*

DAVID FORRESTER WILSON R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1873-1950)

PASSING DAY

Sold for £47,700*

SIR JOSEPH NOEL PATON R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1821-1901)

MICHELANGELO SCULPTING THE STATUE OF 'NIGHT'

Sold for £37,700*

STANSMORE RICHMOND LESLIE DEAN (SCOTTISH 1866-1944)

THE BRETON GIRL

Further highlights from the auction included David Forrester Wilson’s Passing Day, which sold for £57,700*. Replete with sinuous lineation and compositional flair, Passing Day is a sensational example of David Forrester Wilson’s early Symbolist work, which earned the artist favour with generations of collectors – including none other than Andy Warhol.

Sir Joseph Noël Paton’s Michelangelo Sculpting the Statue of Night saw £47,700*, while Glasgow Girls Stansmore Dean’s The Breton Girl and Olive Carleton Smyth’s Bacchanale each reached £37,700*.

Showcasing Stanley Cursiter’s devotion to his native Orkney that endured throughout his life, Lobster Fishermen Rousay sold for £30,200*, and the tour-de-force work The Stonebreaker by Sir James Guthrie saw £75,200*

Sold for £37,700*

OLIVE CARLETON SMYTH (SCOTTISH 1882-1949)

BACCHANALE

Sold for £30,200*

STANLEY CURSITER C.B.E., R.S.A., R.S.W (SCOTTISH 1887-1976) §

LOBSTER FISHERMEN, ROUSAY

Sold for £75,200*

SIR JAMES GUTHRIE P.R.S.A., H.R.A., R.S.W., L.L.D (SCOTTISH 1859-1930)

THE STONEBREAKER

“Lyon & Turnbull was delighted to offer a fantastic selection of works from the illustrious PAI collection. The funds raised from the sale will continue the work of the PAI supporting artists across Scotland.”
James McNaught, Associate Director

About the Paisley Art Institute

The Paisley Art Institute (PAI) was established in 1876 to promote and support the work of Scottish artists with the collection established in the early 20^th century. It is an arts collective, run by artists and art lovers. It holds an annual public art exhibition showing work by contemporary artists. The Glasgow Art Club recently hosted the 135th iteration of their annual exhibition.

The PAI has been resident as part of Paisley Museum and Art Gallery for some years but, following a refurbishment at the Museum, decided to relocate and assess what it can do with its assets to best serve its original objectives.

A decision has been made by the Trustees to retain a large proportion of the core collection while ensuring its future by offering a curated selection of works for sale at auction.

The core of the collection retained by the PAI will be shown at the Glasgow Art Club – as both a permanent feature in the space and rotating exhibition. Selected works will be offered at auction.

The PAI’s collection is formed of general, diploma, national drawing competition works. The Institute is retaining all the works of the two latter groups which have been acquired over the last 40 years with many of the artists still living. These contemporary works will be accompanied by a collection of historic works that bear a significant connection to the history of the PAI or The Glasgow Art Club.

*All sold lots include buyer's premium.

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26 September 2024 From 18:00 BST

A Taste for Art : Selected Works from the Paisley Art Institute Collection

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