A river landscape by Dutch artist Willem Roelofs (1822-97) attracted a strong contest against a £2000-3000 estimate and was sold for £18,000 to a dealer from the Netherlands.
The 10 x 19in (26 x 48cm) oil on panel was signed with the artist’s initials and, although it was not the largest of his many landscapes, it had an attractive subject with a boat moored beside the bank and a figure on the towpath. The technical quality of the works, especially the use of perspective and handling of light, was also admired by bidders, which helped lift it to an above-average price for a work of this size.
One of a pair of Italian street scenes of Rome by Ettore Roesler Franz - sold together for £12,500 at Sworders.
A pair of Italian street scenes of Rome also sold well above estimate. The 2ft 6in x 21¼in (76 x 54cm) watercolours (one shown above) were both signed and inscribed by Ettore Roesler Franz (1845-1907), another prolific artist who specialised in views of both the historical monuments and the back streets of his native city.
These two works were both examples of the latter and were in decent condition despite some light foxing. Offered together and estimated at £1000-1500, they were taken up to £12,500, at which point they were knocked down to an Italian bidder.
The buyer had a particular connection with the artist – he was his great-nephew.
