ROYAL ARTWORK TO GO UNDER THE HAMMER IN NORFOLK
A picture painted by King Charles III a quarter of a century ago is to go under the hammer in Norfolk next week.
As part of its Summer Fine Sale, Keys Fine Art Auctioneers in Aylsham is selling a limited edition lithograph (one of just ten) of ‘Greek Island Landscape, Fishing Boats’, a watercolour painted by the King in 1999 when he was Prince of Wales.
The picture, which is signed by The King, has a pre-sale estimate of £3,000-£3,500.
The King is known as an enthusiastic watercolour artist, having depicted many of his favourite places to which he has travelled, as well as the much-loved royal homes of Balmoral, Sandringham, Highgrove and Windsor Castle.
The picture which is being auctioned at Keys next week is described by the Belgravia Gallery, which has represented royal artists for many years, as evoking ‘the tantalising quality of an ancient coastline seen across a stretch of blue water and the crystalline clarity of a white villa in the evening sun’.
The King is continuing a long tradition of royal artists. Both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were known to be enthusiastic painters, and their eldest daughter The Princess Royal was renowned as a talented artist.
Daniel Smith, head of pictures at Keys, said, “These lithographs were made in extremely limited numbers and rarely come up for auction. The opportunity to own a piece of artwork created by The King will be irresistible to many collectors, and we are expecting brisk bidding when the picture goes under the hammer.”
The royal artwork will be sold on Friday 26th July, the third day of Keys Summer Fine Sale, which takes place at the firm’s Aylsham salerooms and live online. More details at www.keysauctions.co.uk.