James Barry work in Brian Sewell’s collection to be auctioned at Christie’s

THE collection of the late art critic Brian Sewell to be auctioned at Christie’s next September, includes a work by the Cork born artist James Barry (1741-1806).

Sewell, who died last year, was one of the most famous and widely-read British art critics.

James Barry is best remembered for his six part series of paintings on ‘The Progress of Human Culture’ in the Great Room of the Royal Society of Arts, London.

He remained the only academician to be expelled from the Royal Academy (in 1799) until Brendan Neiland in 2004.

A male nude by Barry in Sewell’s collection is estimated at £20,000-£30,000.

Brian Sewell (1931-2015) worked at Christie’s as a picture expert between 1958 and 1967.

His collection, acquired over many decades, includes around 200 lots of Old Master paintings and drawings and 19th and 20th century British art.

The sale will take place in London on September 27.