Growing up in the west of Scotland, he became a fine art researcher at Glasgow University and was later appointed keeper and deputy director of Dundee Art Gallery in 1968. Crossing over to the auction world, he joined Christie’s in 1977, setting up the Scottish picture department which he ran until 1984, helping put groups such as the
Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow Boys firmly on the map.
Hardie left to open William Hardie Fine Art in Glasgow – his gallery in West Regent Street which became renowned for its discoveries and exhibitions. The firm finally closed in 2008, having earlier relocated to West Nile Street, although Hardie continued to research and write after retirement as a dealer.
The sale at Great Western Auctions on August 28 comprises 291 lots from his collection, mostly pictures but also some furniture, ceramics and books.
Meanwhile, fellow Glasgow saleroom McTear’s will offer the private collection of the dance and drama teacher William Mowat-Thomson on September 17-18.
The items come from his home at 19 St Bernard’s Crescent, Edinburgh, which he furnished in the grand Georgian style.
Artist's private collection
Lyon & Turnbull has announced the sale of the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham collection on October 28. It will feature works from the Scottish artist’s private collection of paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery with many of the pieces by artists closely associated with St Ives where Barns-Graham spent much of her working life. Artists and makers include the likes of Barbara Hepworth, Roger and Rose Hilton, Bernard and Janet Leach, and Ben and Kate Nicholson.
The sale is on behalf of the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust and will take place at the Mall Galleries in London.
Over in Ireland, Adam’s of Dublin is offering the collection of art historian Homan Potterton (1946-2020), an assistant keeper at the National Gallery in London from 1973- 80 and director of the National Gallery of Ireland, 1980-88. A mixed category sale of nearly 250 lots takes place on September 7.
See Previews for selected lots from some of these sales.
