Travellers in an Arcadian landscape, catalogued as ‘manner of Claude Lorrain’, £20,000 at Tennants.
The depiction of travellers in an Arcadian landscape measured 2ft 6in x 3ft 5in (77cm x 1.05m) and came to Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, in ‘country house condition’ with numerous imperfections and having undergone plenty of historic intervention.
The oil on canvas, which had been relined many years ago, suffered from various losses, damages, tears and abrasions and retained a thick layer of dirt and discoloured varnish. Retouching was evident to numerous areas including the foliage, bridge and background.
Despite these issues, it would appear that certain aspects of the composition and the atmospheric lighting persuaded at least two parties that it might make a promising restoration project.
Pitched at £3000-5000 at the auction on July 15, it drew a strong competition and was eventually knocked down at £20,000 to a UK private buyer.
