Extraordinary Story
Lynn Chadwick

Of all the great British sculptors of the 20th century Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003) was perhaps the one whose work most clearly tells a story. His figures inhabit a world where something is happening, has just happened, or is about to happen. Precisely what is never made clear. The secrets his couples share in their private spaces – their bodies and heads so precisely and perfectly aligned – are left for the viewer to puzzle out. A fine collection of Chadwick's work at Bonhams Modern British and Irish Art sale in London on Wednesday 30 June perfectly illustrates the point. Consigned direct from the family, the six pieces – of different sizes, dates and values – have impeccable provenance and are led by Maquette Jubilee II estimated at £300,000-500,000.

Lynn Chadwick's background was as an architectural draughtsman and the influence of his early profession can be seen in the way he uses lines and angles – 'drawing in steel rods' was how he put it. He had no formal art training, and it was not until 1949 that, at the age of 34, he showed his first piece, but the acclaim was immediate and his rise meteoric. In 1956 he was awarded the International Prize for Sculpture at the 1956 Venice Biennale ahead of Giacometti. The solo shows in New York, Montreal, Paris, Frankfurt and Zurich that followed cemented Chadwick's reputation as one of the world's most exciting sculptors.

Browse the collection and register for the auction at Bonhams.com before 30 June 2021.

For more from our Modern British & Irish Art team, follow @bonhamsmodbrit on Instagram.