Plan to convert former Knaresborough auction house into flats withdrawnNew Harrogate auction house to open next weekBaroness Masham’s items to be auctionedSketches by Magritte to go under the hammer in Ripon

A double-sided sketch by the Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte will be auctioned in Ripon next week.

The sketch will be displayed at Elstob Auctioneers’ fine art sale on Wednesday, May 8.

The two pencil drawings of nude figures in a double-sided gilt decorative frame carries a price estimate of £10,000 to £15,000.

Magritte, who lived from 1898 to 1967, was known for images of clouds, bowler hats, pipes and green apples.

His work influenced pop art, minimalist art and conceptual art. In the 1999 film The Thomas Crown Affair starring Pierce Brosnan, the Magritte painting The Son of Man featured prominently as part of the plot line.

The logo of Apple Corps, The Beatles’ company, is inspired by Magritte’s Le Jeu de Mourre; Paul Simon composed a song Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War and Tom Stoppard wrote a 1970 surrealist play called After Magritte.

The nude pencil studies that feature in Elstob’s sale came from the remaining contents of the studio of Magritte, sold at Sothebys on 2 July 1987. On this occasion, it is being offered for sale by a private collector.

Nude studies sketches by René Magritte

Rohan McCulloch, paintings and sculpture specialist at Elstob Auctioneers, said:

“Even if at first people think they don’t know the name of Magritte, they will most probably be familiar with many of his pictures that have frequently been featured in advertisements, posters, book covers and film.

“Without doubt, he has left a huge cultural legacy and we are very excited to be able to offer this captivating work for sale. Its established provenance will hopefully ensure a considerable interest from collectors around the globe.”

The sale also includes a striking portrait of Miss Hilda Wilkinson by Leeds artist Jacob Kramer (1892-1962), which is anticipated to fetch £6,000 to 8,000 and an oil on canvas by Philip Naviasky (1894-1983) that carries a price estimate of £1,000 – £1,500.

Miss Hilda Wilkinson by Jacob Kramer (left) and Miss May by Philip Naviasky

All lots can be viewed online and bidding on the day of the sale can be made in person, over the telephone or online.

Items can be viewed at the Ripon saleroom on Sunday May 5 and Monday May 6 and the day before the sale on Tuesday May 7.

Read more:

Ripon auctioneer recruits new painting and sculpture specialist

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

New expert joins Elstob & Elstob

Rohan McCulloch has joined Ripon based Elstob & Elstob as the auctioneer’s paintings and sculpture specialist.

Mr McCulloch has more than 15 years’ experience at Sotheby’s, Bonham’s and Lyon & Turnbull. He is passionate about paintings, drawings and sculpture and has a particular interest in British and European art, Old Masters and portraits.

Educated at Newcastle University, where he studied archaeology, Mr McCulloch has built up a large following of private collectors, top art dealers and corporate curators who both buy and sell art.

He is also well known for finding ‘sleepers’ – undervalued works of art which have been misattributed in the past.

Speaking about his new role, Mr McCulloch said:

“I am very much looking forward to sharing the whole process with clients – from valuing, advising and selling. It’s such as huge pleasure to tell people about their objects and their histories.

“I have great admiration for Elstob & Elstob and have been aware of the strides it has been making within the auctioneering world – so it is fantastic to be joining David and his talented team. It will be a privilege to put together exciting and varied consignments for each auction.”

 Read More:

Windsor House refurbishment

A Harrogate office building has completed the first phase of an extensive refurbishment.

Windsor House was originally home to the Grand Hotel in the 1900s, then converted into offices in the 1980s.

It is one of the largest office buildings in Harrogate, comprising of circa 75,000 sq ft of flexible workspace and is home to over 115 local, national and international businesses.

Recent refurbishment work on the reception area has been done by Construction North Group Ltd.

The second phase of the work will start soon on the original Palm Court.

Karen Winspear, from Boultbee Brooks said:

“This new look helps give everyone who enters Windsor House a bright, inviting welcome – while preserving the timeless heritage of the building.

“Quality spaces are vital to our wellbeing and collaboration at work. This new renovation encourages our tenants to relax, connect and enjoy our refreshed open areas.

“There is a great community inside Windsor House, and we want to give something back to all of the companies who choose to work here by providing an enjoyable, well-designed, modern environment.”  

An image of the newly refurbished reception area at Windsor House