A watercolour by William Byron (1669-1736) of a tree struck by lightning sold for £8000 at Forum Auctions.
An intriguing 18th century watercolour of a tree struck by lightning fetched a multi-estimate sum at Forum Auctions’ (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) March 30 sale in London.
The 8 x 10½in (20 x 27cm) work was skilfully painted in 1718 by the amateur artist William Byron (1669-1736), the 4th Baron Byron. Little is known about Byron and few works have appeared at auction, though both the Paul Mellon Collection at the Yale Center for British Art and British Museum hold examples of the artist’s work.