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Emma Sykes is Picture Specialist and General Manager for Bonhams in Bath, where she has been based since 2006. She previously worked at Bonhams Chester saleroom, having joined the company in 1997. Emma is responsible for picture valuations across the whole of the South West of England and South Wales, with specialist experience across all categories including Old Master Paintings, 19th Century Paintings, Impressionist & Modern Art, Modern British Art, Post-War & Contemporary Art and Prints.

Selling with Bonhams is easy. Email emma.sykes@bonhams.com to arrange a complimentary and confidential valuation or visit sell.bonhams.com to find your nearest expert.

Frank Auerbach, J.Y.M. Seated in the Studio VI 1988

Found in Bath and sold in London in 2020 for £687,062 inc. premium

I was very excited when I first encountered this painting. Frank Auerbach is widely considered to be one of the UK’s greatest present-day artists and this was clearly a very important work. Following an introduction to a fellow art lover, I was invited to view an impressive art collection that had been carefully put together over many years. One of the highlights being this amazing 1988 work of J.Y.M. which had been included in Auerbach’s retrospective exhibition at the Tate Britain in 2015. When I saw it, I was captivated by the artist’s creative use of colour and impasto, in particular the striking vibrant yellow paint that had evidently been squeezed directly from the tube onto the canvas. It was a career highlight for me when Bonhams brought this major work to auction, selling for a spectacular £687,062 including premium.

Ludwig Deutsch, The Goza Smoker

Found in Bath and sold in London in 2019 for £1,143,062 inc. premium

This alluring painting is a visual treat of colours, textures and exquisite detail. It was one of six works by the Austrian artist Ludwig Deutsch, that were consigned from the same private collection. The first time that I entered the owner’s home, I was immediately confronted by an impressive display of paintings that completely covered the walls. It was almost like entering a private art gallery and the works were clearly much loved and enjoyed by their owner. The collection encompassed a wide array of familiar 19th century European artists, but my eye was immediately drawn to the focal group of Orientalist works which included six paintings by Ludwig Deutsch, one of the leading artists of the genre. It was a special moment and even more exciting to get the instruction to sell six Deutsch works, along with other paintings from the collection, for a total hammer price of over £3 million.

Ludwig Deutsch, *The Goza Smoker,* Sold for £1,143,062 inc. premium

Ludwig Deutsch, *The Goza Smoker,* Sold for £1,143,062 inc. premium

John Sell Cotman, Part of the Refectory of Walsingham Abbey, Norfolk

Found in Bath and sold in London in 2016 for £338,500 inc. premium

This beautiful and delicate watercolour remains one of my favourite finds. It is very rare to come across such a fine and important work by John Sell Cotman and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was very special. The provenance was excellent, tracing right back through the owner’s family to the Cotman admirer and collector, Francis Gibson of Saffron Walden. It had also been included in all the major Cotman exhibitions of the 20th century. The tranquil subject matter of the ruined Walsingham Priory, the most celebrated pilgrimage site in Britain, along with the rarity and exceptional quality of this watercolour, helped it to exceed it’s estimate of £30,000-50,000 and achieve a world record auction price of £338,5000 including premium.

Our specialists are happy to assist you with any questions you may have. Contact Emma at Emma.Sykes@bonhams.com to arrange a valuation and receive expert advice, wherever you are.

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