Portrait by legendary artist expected to fetch £25k at auction

05 April 2024 , 11:30

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Portrait of Mrs Letitia Sparrow by Sir Joshua Reynolds (Image: Sloane Street Auctioneers/SWNS)

A portrait by one of the 18th century's best artists is expected to fetch up to £25,000 at auction.

The artwork was created in 1766 by Sir Joshua Reynolds and is of a woman called Letitia Sparrow. He was once described as one of the major European painters of the 18th century and founded and was the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768.

The painting, which measures 35in x 30in, has never been sold before but is expected to fetch £15,000 to £25,000 when it goes under the hammer. Daniel Hunt, who works at auctioneers Sloane Street, described the painting as 'doubly thrilling.' He said: "This is a doubly thrilling consignment. Firstly, because it has come from the family of the portrait's subject more than 250 years after it was painted. Secondly because we can pinpoint the date it was painted through the artist's own impeccable records"

Alongside the painting, work by artists Henry Moore and Jacob Epstein and a collection of portraits by Cecil Beaton will also be going under the hammer. Daniel said: "This is exactly the range and quality of items that used to be offered by Christie's South Kensington before it closed, and we are happy to don that mantle. Indeed, not only have several of our clients already pointed that out.

"But we are also delighted to work with Hugh Edmeades, Christie's South Kensington's former chairman, as our auctioneer on the rostrum." Live online bidding is available on April 18 via Sloane Street Auctions' website.

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