Click Here. Double your traffic. Get Vendio Gallery - Now FREE!

Update 25/09/09: a number of astute ebayers have remarked that this work is different to Whiteley's more typical works. Although this is correct to some degree, you must remember that (a) Whiteley experimented with a wide variety of painting methods, mediums and styles; and (b) this was painted very early in his career when he was developing as an artist. In fact, AASD records another painting by Whiteley on paper with this monk theme, and it sold for $18,522 by Christies in 2006 as follows:

Title:               Price:          Details:

Zen Monks        $18,522       Ink, signed, dated and inscribed 'Zen Monks Brett Whiteley 2/MAR/71' lower right, 49x51cm, Est: $7,000-10,000, Christies, Sydney, 06/03/2006, Lot No. 123

I think that you will agree that this painting is far superior to the one sold at Christies.  Please remember that Wendy Whiteley herself has viewed and verified this work as a genuine work by Brett, and that is more important than anything else when it comes to purchasing a work by the master of Australian art. Kind regards.

 ***************

Up for auction is an original painting by probably Australia's greatest ever artist, Brett Whiteley

The details of this work are as follows:

Artist: Brett Whiteley (1939 - 1992)

Date of work: 1950s

Title: Monks Playing Basketball (titled by Whiteley himself in the image)

Medium: watercolour and ink on paper

Dimensions (image size only): 300mm (length) x 200mm (width)

Frame dimensions: 505mm (length) x 360mm (height) x 40mm (depth)

Provenance:

This work has been shown to Brett's former wife, model and muse, Wendy Whiteley and has been deemed a rare, authentic, early work by Brett. When shown this work, Wendy commented that the bottom section of the drawing in particular recalls early works of the 1950s by Whiteley.  She noted that the writing looks similar to Whiteley’s style of that period and suspected that it could have come from an early sketch book that has been broken up at some time.

All Brett Whiteley works must get the tick of approval from Wendy before an auction house will even contemplate putting a work up for auction, such is the importance of Wendy's expert opinion. Wendy has become a well-known figure in Australia’s artistic life. She appears at gallery openings, as a judge at art competitions, gives talks about Brett Whiteley, arranges and curates exhibitions of his work. Wendy has continued to champion the greatness that was and forever will be Brett Whiteley.

Condition:

This work is in spectacular condition and was recently conserved by paper conservator, Candida Baskcomb (who was recommended to me by the NGV). There are no faults to speak of. It is in fantastic condition and displays beautifully.

Framing:

This work was recently spectacularly mounted and framed using archival materials by "Colour Square" who are the framers of choice for auction houses, galleries and the NGV in Victoria.  The painting has been hinged to the conservation matting to protect it for years to come. The framing cost nearly $500 in itself.

Other Notes:

I could list the multiple auction records that Whiteley has achieved over the years but we all know he is one of Australia's greatest artists. We know that Brett holds the record for the most expensive painting ever sold at auction in Australia with his masterful work The Olgas for Ernest Giles (Also Known as to Ernest Giles) 1985 which sold for $3,480,000 at Deutscher-Menzies in 2007. In fact, 4 of Brett's paintings are included in the top 10 highest ever prices paid for a painting in Australia.

Australian Artists: Ten Highest Prices Achieved at Auction From Early 1980s to Current Year (courtesy of AASD)

Brett's works on paper also fetch prices in the hundreds of thousands such as the following (thanks to AASD):

Whiteley, Brett. 1939-92 Australia. Medium: Works on Paper

Bid now before it is too late! This particular work, in its superb condition with exemplary provenance, is a very rare and spectacular piece which will not disappoint.

*******************************

TO DISCUSS FURTHER, WE CAN BE EMAILED OR WE CAN PROVIDE A CONTACT PHONE NUMBER TO DISCUSS. IF YOU ARE IN THE MELBOURNE AREA, A VIEWING CAN ALSO BE ARRANGED.

PAYMENT VIA BANK DEPOSIT.

 PAYMENT MUST BE MADE WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION END.

PROFESSIONAL ART PACKAGING WILL BE USED TO POST THIS PIECE. SHIPPING COSTS WILL VARY DEPENDING ON BUYER LOCATION. PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR A QUOTE.

BUYERS WITH LESS THAN 5 POSITIVE FEEDBACK NEED TO CONTACT US FOR APPROVAL 

ARTWORK IS GUARANTEED TO BE AS DESCRIBED.