News

Legacy of Lee

Surrealist and fashion photographer, model and pioneering war correspondent, Lee Miller (1907-1977) was a force of nature who had an exceptional career. Yet, for a long time, it remained hidden – even from her son – with all of her negatives and photographs stored away in the attic at her home, Farleys in East Sussex. Since her powerful images came to light, her son Antony Penrose and granddaughter Ami Bouhassane have worked to ensure her legacy lives on.

In January, they came to Bonhams to discuss not only her life, but also the making of the film LEE, starring Kate Winslet, which focused on Lee Miller's work during the Second World War. With powerful photographs from Lee's Miller's work as a war photographer on view, alongside images and props from the set of the film, the evening was an pertinent reminder of the horrors of war, as well as the astounding bravery and determination of an incredible woman.

Millais' mesmerising
muse

By the 1880s, John Everett Millais was at the height of his fame and known for using striking models for his works. The 16-year-old Grace Palliser was one such model. She was the daughter of a couple Millais had brought together. Her father was the Irish soldier, inventor, and politician Sir William Palliser, who developed the armour-piercing 'Palliser shot' and other technical innovations for guns. Her mother, Hannah Perham, had herself been an artist's model, and it was after posing for Millais's painting Charlie is My Darling, that she caught the eye Sir William Palliser. He begged Millais for an introduction, and the pair married in 1868. Their daughter Grace, later the model for Millias’ Il Penseroso, soon to be offered at Bonhams, was born in 1870. Sir William died in 1882, leaving his wife and four children not especially well provided for.

Il Penseroso is an invocation to melancholy and perhaps Millais's decision to ‘cast' Grace as a pensive figure had something to do with her family circumstances. Records of her later life are scant. She never married, and most likely continued to live with her mother until her mother's death in 1923. At the time of her own death in 1940, aged 69, she was a resident of Anglet, near Biarritz, in German-occupied France.

Sale: The Guy Bailey Collection of Victorian Art, 24 February - 5 March, London

Enquiries: Charles O'Brien
+44 20 7468 8360 or Charles.Obrien@bonhams.com

The Glass Alchemist

A leading figure in 20th-century Italian design, renowned for his visionary work with glass and light, Roberto Rida is an the artist who has constantly sought to bridge the gap between the past and the future in his work, often reusing materials to produce fresh and sustainable creations. Experimenting with new ideas without sketches, he creates unique works that are finished by hand without any preparatory work. Now, he has opened up his studio in Milan's Navigli district and is offering key pieces in a dedicated sale at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in March. Speaking of the sale he said, "I've spent my life playing. Art is my playground and glass is my toy. Offering my creations at auction is a turning point that will allow me to pass them on to new collectors, who will in turn be able to enjoy them." Here is your chance to join in.

Sale: Collection Roberto Giulio Rida, 12 March, Paris

Enquiries: Claire Gallois
+33156791238 or Claire.Gallois@bonhams.com

The search for a cure

Bonhams once again partnered with Cure Parkinson's in association with and Artwise, to host Cure3, the critically acclaimed selling exhibition devised to raise awareness and funds for curative Parkinson's research, which returned for its 5th edition in February. The exhibition has the largest ever for Cure3, with 118 artists generously donating works.

A special event at Bonhams New Bond Street saw a huge crowd of supporters listen to a speak by Tim Marlow, Director and CEO of The Design Museum, who spoke about his own family's experience of the disease, and why a cure might just be closer than ever, thanks for pioneering research and the overwhelming support shown to the cause.

Drinks with Didier

Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr held the prestigious sale of the Didier Ludot collection in January, and just before the hammer fell there was party to celebrate. Didier Ludot was joined by a whole host of fabulous, and very well-dressed, guests. These included the likes of Sarah Wolfe, a long time friend of Ludot's and his partner Felix. Part of her wardrobe also featured in the sale, alongside pieces once owned by French actresses and American heiresses.

The sale, which took place the following day, formed the final part of Ludot's collection, which was once amongst the offerings of Parisian store. Featured were historical designs evoking the quintessence of luxury fashion, with exceptional 20th century Haute Couture pieces signed by the greatest designers Cristóbal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, Pierre Cardin, Carven, Mademoiselle Chanel, Christian Dior, Marc Bohan, Givenchy, Madame Grès, Karl Lagerfeld, Jeanne Lanvin, Jean Patou, Yves Saint Laurent, Jean-Louis Scherrer and Roger Vivier. Quite the guest list.

Taste of Vienna

Bonhams hosted a gala dinner with the Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB) in Vienna in October. The evening included a presentation and wine and whisky tasting led by Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine and Spirits. The event was organized and moderated by Katharina Upmeyer, Bonhams Representative for Southern Germany & Austria, with a host of Bonhams experts speaking on their fields.

Those in attendance included Caroline Schulten, Head of Department for Chinese Art, Nette Megens Director of Decorative Arts UK / Europe, Irene Sieberger, Senior Specialist for Post-War & Contemporary Art, Frederick Millar, Head of Sale for Impressionist & Modern Art division, Pierre Tirone, Specialist for Classic Cars and Jonathan Darracott, Global Head of Watches.

Asia Week in New York

Bonhams will present four live sales during the annual Asia Week New York this March – Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art including the Bernard and Francine Wald Collection of Snuff Bottles Part I (17 March), Classical and Modern Chinese Paintings (18 March), Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art (19 March), and Fine Japanese and Korean Art – all celebrating expertly crafted works of art from across Asia.

Highlights of Asia Week New York this year include: a rare and important blue and white copper-red 'dragon' tianqiuping vase with a Qianlong seal mark from the period 1736-1795, which has an estimate of $400,000 – 600,000, a 15th century gilt copper alloy figure of Mahachakra Vajrapani (estimate: $500,000 – 700,000), a large Joseon-dynasty white porcelain jar painted with landscape roundels in cobalt blue, (estimate: $200,000 – 300,000), and Portrait of an Imperial Guard, painted circa 1760 and attributed to Ai Qimeng (Ignaz Sichelbart, 1708-1780) and Jin Tingbiao (Active 1757-1767), a European and Chinese court artist working collaboratively in the Qianlong Imperial atelier, which has an estimate of $400,000 – 600,000.

Enquiries: Dessa Goddard
+1 415 503 3333 or Dessa.Goddard@bonhams.com