WORKS by Eric Ravilious (1903-1942) are only very occasionally seen on the market. So when this evocative watercolour Salt Marsh was offered at Sworders (15% buyer’s premium) sale in Stansted Mountfitchet on April 11 it attracted at least seven interested parties.
Still in its original frame, the signed watercolour measured
151/2 x 201/4in (39 x 52cm) and depicted what is likely to be
either Rye or Tollesbury. Ravilious visited both coastal towns in
1938 and the picture was first exhibited at his last one-man show
at Tooths Gallery in May 1939. Ravilious died three years later,
aged 39, when his plane disappeared on patrol near Iceland. The
picture was bought at the Tooths exhibition by an art teacher and
was sent to auction by her nephew who now lives in Ireland.
Bidding started at £42,000, but it finally rose to £76,000,
falling to London dealers The Fine Art Society who bought it for
stock.
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