Media release – March 28, 2006
Hodgkins’ works a highlight of Sydney auction
Two rare and highly prized paintings by New Zealand artist Frances Hodgkins go under the hammer at Bonhams and Goodman
auction in Sydney tomorrow night.
The recently unearthed paintings are expected to fetch more than $A100,000.
“These two works by Hodgkins (1869-1947) were discovered around the same time in the UK by complete coincidence,’’
auctioneer Tim Goodman said from Sydney today.
``They are both exceptional works on paper: a still life in watercolour and a (1946) French harbour scene in oil.
``They are expected to receive interest from New Zealand collectors and dealers as these rare little gems fresh to the
market rarely turn up.’’
Bonhams and Goodman hold the Australia record ($A175,000 for a Hodgkins, while Webbs in Auckland holds the NZ record of
more than $400,000.
New Zealand listed company Mowbrays own a 20 percent stake in Bonhams and Goodman who are in the middle of six days of
viewing and auctions which are tipped to fetch around $A6 million.
More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the six days of public viewings and day and evening auctions later this
month.
Goodman said the March auctions were the largest group of mixed vendor sales ever conducted at the one time in
Australia.
Last year, Bonhams and Goodman announced record turnover of $A27 million.
ENDS