A painting by the obscure Welsh artist James Dickson Innes (1887-1914) generated keen bidding at Essex saleroom Stacey’s (24% buyer’s premium) on February 26.
The oil on board of a mountain lake scene with a seated figure in profile in the foreground came with a label from the esteemed collection of the Earl of Sandwich. Estimated at £2000-3000, bidding on the lot involved five phone lines and an underbidder on thesaleroom.com, eventually selling to one of the former for £15,500.
Innes started his artistic career painting in the traditional academic manner, but a trip to France in 1908 and a meeting with Henri Matisse dramatically changed his style.