Ewbank’s Turn Studio Legacy Into £50,000, 33 Years After Artist’s Death
UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / September 21, 2021 / Ewbank’s have transformed an artist Lionel Ellis's (1903-88) studio legacy into £50,000 at auction 33 years after he died.
From highly accomplished equine paintings to religious studies, the 98 previously unseen works were offered at the September 16 Fine Art auction from the estate of Ellis's long-term partner, fellow artist Barbara Shaw, who died recently. The proceeds will go to her chosen charity.
Ellis, an accomplished artist who also taught at Wimbledon School of Art tutor, was born in Plymouth, Devon. He studied at Plymouth School of Art, 1918–22 and the Royal College of Art, 1922–4, where he obtained a Travelling Scholarship, moving on to Atelier Colarossi in Paris, and then Italy.
As a painter, wood engraver, modeller and teacher, he specialised in portraits, flowers and horses, displaying a particular aptitude for capturing the pace and power of animals being put through their paces on the gallops.
Ellis exhibited at the Royal Academy, New English Art Club and extensively at Redfern Gallery. The Victoria & Albert Museum, British Museum and several provincial galleries, including Plymouth, hold his work.
He lectured on painting at Wimbledon School of Art (Wimbledon College of Arts) for more than 20 years, from 1937-68, later leading a reclusive life at Headley in Surrey.
“Ellis’s work can be found in a number of major public institutions, which demonstrates his skill and standing," said Senior Partner Chris Ewbank. "The equine pictures in our sale were of particular note, but the multiple-estimate prices of the top ten works that sold show how popular his art was across the spectrum of subject matter."
Top price was a premium-inclusive £4,250 for a 117 x 85cm unsigned oil on canvas titled The Descent from the Cross. The estimate had been just £400-600.
Also going more than ten times estimate was Two seated nudes, an 80 x 67cm oil on board with a £200-300 guide that sold for £3,500.
A 71 x 57cm half-length portrait of a seated nude in oil on canvas had been expected to sell for £150-250 but made £2,375, while one of the equine pictures, Three Horses Standing Beneath A Tree, another oil on canvas, measuring 65 x 90cm, left a £400-600 estimate behind to sell for £2,250.
Cross
The Descent from the Cross by Lionel Ellis. The 117 x 85cm unsigned oil on canvas was estimated at £400-600. It led the sale at £4,250.
Pair
Two seated nudes, an 80 x 67cm oil on board with a £200-300 guide. Sold for £3,500.
Nude
Seated nude, a 71 x 57cm oil on canvas estimated at £150-250. Sold for £2,375
Horses
Three Horses Standing Beneath A Tree, an oil on canvas, measuring 65 x 90cm, estimated at £400-600. Sold for £2,250.
About Us
Ewbank’s are the Premier International Antiques and Fine Art Valuers and Auctioneers. Based near Guildford, they cover Surrey and South London, with registered bidders logging on from upwards of 50 countries on a regular basis to buy lots.
Having celebrated 30 years in business in 2020, Ewbank’s continue to offer all of the major collecting disciplines at auction, from Fine Art and Ceramics, to Silver, Coins, Clocks and Watches and Furniture and Works of Art, as well as 20th Century Art and Design, Asian Art, Militaria, Books, Garden and Architectural, Textiles and Fine Wine. The company has a turnover of £5 million a year.
The Entertainment, Cinema & Sporting Memorabilia department has become the UK market leader outside London in recent years, posting auction sales of £1.6m in 2020. Recent highlights include the Football Memorabilia of former Manchester United captain Norman Whiteside and the Bray Studios sale of Gerry Anderson memorabilia, relating to classics such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Terrahawks.
August 2021, Ewbank’s launched auctions in Trading Cards with Pokémon rarities, and this auction is their debut in the field of classic cars.
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