13
Mary Wykeham (British, 1909-1996) Composition 19.3 x 28.7 cm. (7 5/8 x 11 3/8 in.)
1/3
Auctioneer has chosen not to publish the price of this lot
London, United Kingdom
Description
Mary Wykeham (British, 1909-1996) Composition signed and dated 'Mary Wykeham 1947' (lower right) watercolour, pen and ink 19.3 x 28.7 cm. (7 5/8 x 11 3/8 in.) Footnotes: Provenance With The Zwemmer Gallery, London With The London Gallery, London Private Collection, U.K. Literature Silvano Levy, Mary Wykeham: Surrealist out of the Shadows, Lund Humphries, London, 2023, p.98 (col.ill.) Mary Wykeham's Composition (1947) comes at a pivotal time in the artist's life. Earlier that year, her father had tragically taken his own life in the family garden, prompting a seismic shift in her general outlook on life, especially in terms of her spiritual mindset. She delved heavily into Daoist philosophy, finding solace and comfort in the serenities of its teaching, and she began to practice meditation daily. The present work represents a visual development of this interest, a highly spiritual work, illustrative of the enormous positive development from her initial grief catalysed by her Daoist engagement. The setting can be seen as her family garden, adorned with Daoist-related esoteric symbols, birds in flight up and away from the earth towards whatever in her metaphysical paradigm lied beyond. Wykeham's spirituality continued to develop to the point where she was to dedicate the rest of her life to it. She became a nun in 1950, some three years after she executed this work – a move accompanied by the destruction of a significant portion of her artistic output. Composition, in transit from an exhibition at The London Gallery, evaded the cull, continuing to offer a window into Wykeham's emotional and spiritual mindset in such a defining moment of her life. We are grateful to Dr Silvano Levy for his assistance in cataloguing this lot. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: AR AR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
Mary Wykeham (British, 1909-1996) Composition signed and dated 'Mary Wykeham 1947' (lower right) watercolour, pen and ink 19.3 x 28.7 cm. (7 5/8 x 11 3/8 in.) Footnotes: Provenance With The Zwemmer Gallery, London With The London Gallery, London Private Collection, U.K. Literature Silvano Levy, Mary Wykeham: Surrealist out of the Shadows, Lund Humphries, London, 2023, p.98 (col.ill.) Mary Wykeham's Composition (1947) comes at a pivotal time in the artist's life. Earlier that year, her father had tragically taken his own life in the family garden, prompting a seismic shift in her general outlook on life, especially in terms of her spiritual mindset. She delved heavily into Daoist philosophy, finding solace and comfort in the serenities of its teaching, and she began to practice meditation daily. The present work represents a visual development of this interest, a highly spiritual work, illustrative of the enormous positive development from her initial grief catalysed by her Daoist engagement. The setting can be seen as her family garden, adorned with Daoist-related esoteric symbols, birds in flight up and away from the earth towards whatever in her metaphysical paradigm lied beyond. Wykeham's spirituality continued to develop to the point where she was to dedicate the rest of her life to it. She became a nun in 1950, some three years after she executed this work – a move accompanied by the destruction of a significant portion of her artistic output. Composition, in transit from an exhibition at The London Gallery, evaded the cull, continuing to offer a window into Wykeham's emotional and spiritual mindset in such a defining moment of her life. We are grateful to Dr Silvano Levy for his assistance in cataloguing this lot. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: AR AR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing
British Surrealism
Ends from
Venue Address
101 New Bond Street
London
United Kingdom
W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
...
Important Information
This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
You are advised to visit www.bonhams.com for any additional information regarding auction 30713 which may have come to light for any Lot after producing the catalogue, which will be included in a "Sale Room Notice" accompanying each Lot.
Terms & Conditions
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
