September 24th 2024.
A rare and exciting discovery has been made in the art world, as a hidden still life has been found on the reverse side of a portrait painting by Scottish artist George Leslie Hunter. This remarkable piece is now set to be auctioned off for the first time, after being held in a private collection for generations.
The painting, titled Portrait of John Ressich, has been in the possession of the same family for many years. It wasn't until the current owners decided to take it off the wall and have it evaluated that they noticed a small tear in the backing paper. To their surprise, this tear revealed a vibrant and beautiful still life on the back of the painting.
The discovery of this hidden gem has caused quite a stir in the art world, with experts estimating it could fetch up to £18,000 at the upcoming Bonhams auction. And it's not the only highly coveted piece up for sale - an exceptional work by Samuel John Peploe titled Luxembourg Gardens, Paris is also expected to fetch a hefty sum of £100,000.
May Matthews, the managing director of Bonhams Scotland, expressed her excitement over having these works return to Edinburgh. She praised the Scottish Colourists, a group of renowned artists who have made significant contributions to Scottish painting, and noted that the sale also includes exquisite works by all four of these talented individuals.
But the highlight of the auction is undoubtedly the discovery of the still life on the reverse of the John Ressich portrait. This piece, which has been in the sitter's family for generations and has never been on the market before, was inherited by the current owners in the 1980s. It wasn't until they took it off the wall to take pictures for Bonhams that they noticed the tear in the backing paper, providing a tantalizing glimpse of the still life. Fortunately, the tear was carefully removed, revealing the stunning tulip still life in all its vibrant glory.
The person who made this discovery, who wishes to remain anonymous, described the moment as "absolute delight" and "hugely exciting." The painting is a testament to Hunter's talent and skill, and it is no wonder that there is expected to be considerable interest in it at the auction.
Along with the John Ressich portrait, the auction will also include two rare early portraits - a Portrait of Catherine Maxwell by Scottish painter George Willison, and a portrait of Lady Anne Bruce by Jacob Jacobsz.de Wet the Younger. These portraits offer a glimpse into the history and high society of Scotland, with Catherine Maxwell being a central figure in Scottish high society and Lady Anne Bruce being the daughter of a nobleman.
It is clear that this upcoming auction at Bonhams will be an exciting event for art lovers and collectors alike. The pieces up for sale not only hold significant historical and cultural value, but they are also exquisite works of art that capture the essence of Scottish painting. To learn more about these pieces and the upcoming auction, be sure to check out Scottish Field's News pages and don't miss the October issue of Scottish Field magazine.
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