Bellmans has announced that the March auction of Old Masters, British, and European paintings on Thursday, March 28, 2024 will include three artists’ collections with works of four artists born in the 19th Century, all coming from descendants and new to the market. Two of which are well-known for their outstanding work depicting animals, in particular dogs and wild cats, Herbert Dicksee and Arthur Wardle, and Frank Dicksee, who was best known for his portraits and landscapes, while Arthur Croft also excelled in the latter.
The Arthur Croft Collection
A highlight of the collection from the family of the artist Arthur Croft (1828-1902) is an oil painting by Frederick Arthur Bridgman (American, 1847-1928), “Sanctuary in the Sahara,” signed and dated 1879. It was first exhibited in London at the 1880 annual exhibition of the Royal Academy and is the product of Bridgman’s second visit to Algeria.
While he focused on Algiers during his first trip in 1872-73, during his second trip to North Africa, he decided to investigate the smaller towns and villages south of the metropolis, which remained less westernized, despite French control of the region.
Works by Herbert and Frank Dicksee from the collection of the late Pamela Service
Bellmans Fine Art Auctioneers are also delighted to be offering a fine and eclectic group of works by Herbert (1862-1942) and Frank Dicksee (1853-1928), from the collection of the late Pamela Service, Herbert’s granddaughter. Both Herbert and Frank’s fathers were artists; John Dicksee (1817-1905), a portrait painter, and Thomas Dicksee (1819-1895), a genre, historical, and portrait painter, respectively.
Arthur Wardle – The Studio Sale
The studio sale of another contemporary of the former, Arthur Wardle (1860-1949), offers a superb collection of oil paintings, pastels, watercolors, sketches, and sculptures by one of the foremost British animal artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The lasting appeal of Wardle’s work is arguably down to its lack of sentimentality and anthropomorphism; the technical brilliance with which he renders anatomy is matched only by the palpable sense of character and vitality.
For more details: www.bellmans.co.uk
