Blonde Traveller by Basil Blackshaw a big hit at Bonham’s auction in London

Irish artist’s portrait acclaimed for its raw colour, writes Des O’Sullivan.    

Basil Blackshaw’s Blonde Traveller comes up at Bonham’s sale of Modern British and Irish Art at New Bond Street in London next Wednesday.

In 1984/85 the artist undertook a series of traveller paintings using sitters that he had met and who stirred his interest. The works were acclaimed for their raw colour and immediacy. Blond Traveller is estimated at £18,000-25,000 (€25,400-35,250).

A John Lavery view of house tops, Tetuan (37 miles east of Tangier) is estimated at £20,000-30,000 (€28,000-42,300), as is a west of Ireland oil by Paul Henry entitled Cabins on a Lough.

The auction features 12 pieces by the acclaimed British sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink.

A seated nude by Roderic O’Conor is estimated at £8,000-12,000 (€11,280-17,000). Other Irish artists featured include Daniel O’Neill, Gerard Dillon and Louis le Brocquy in a catalogue of 101 works in total.