A painting of apple blossom by the Austrian Impressionist Olga Wisinger-Florian (1844-1926) drew a five-way online bidding battle at Canterbury Auction Galleries (24% buyer’s premium inc VAT) on August 1.
According to family anecdotes, the 16in x 2ft 2in (41 x 66cm) signed oil on board, (pictured below), had belonged originally to Ronald Coombes (1911-91) and his wife Violet, who lived in the coach house at Mount Ephraim, an historical house in Hernhill, Faversham, Kent. On his death, Ronald left all his possessions to a late member of the vendor’s family who had been a close friend.