A prolific painter of the Alps, he made numerous mountaineering trips mainly in central Europe, although he also painted views of the Hebrides, the Northern Cape in Norway and even the Colombian Andes.
A typical example of his work emerged at Hansons (25% buyer’s premium) on October 14 in Etwall, Derbyshire. The Alpine scene featured a few small figures as well as snowcapped mountains and so appealed to his followers as well as more general collectors who might be struck by a powerful landscape.
The 20½in x 2ft 7in (52 x 79cm) oil on canvas was signed and dated 07 to the lower right.
Estimated at £500-700, it always looked likely to exceed this and it drew three phone bidders, including from mainland Europe, as well as interest online. It sold at £7500 to a buyer in Germany.
While Compton’s larger vistas of known locations, especially Alpine landmarks, can make significantly more (£30,000 upwards for the very best), this was a decent sum for a more commonly seen example.
