While the work of both Olive and her architect/photographer husband Edwin Smith sold at three-figure sums to friends, this small oil portrait of a boy in a green cap, right, attributed to the Circle of Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) exceeded all expectations. Labels to the picture said the 11 by 8in (28 x 21cm) canvas had once belonged to ‘the late KM Freshfield’ and was sold at Christie’s London on 13 June 1975 for £682.50 (650 guineas). At that sale it was catalogued as a preparatory sketch by court painter Kneller.
Olive Cook having acquired the picture as a gift, was advised by London specialists that the picture was in fact by one of Kneller’s circle.
But the successful private Essex buyer at Cheffins had a feeling it was “right” as soon as he saw it and fought off competition from a dealer to take it over top hopes of £600 to £4000.
Research undertaken by the buyer since the sale has proved his instinct and although he has no intentions of selling it he has already been offered a significant sum of money for the sketch from a New York buyer.
An amateur’s gift was precious after all
ON December 10 Cambridge auctioneers Cheffins (15% buyer’s premium) offered the residual contents from the home of amateur painter and gallery owner Olive Cook, whose early friendships with Henry Moore and Eric Ravilious helped hone her artistic eye.
