Rare Auerbach Painting to Headline Christie’s Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale
Christie’s to present Frank Auerbach’s Nude on Bed III (1961) in its Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale on 19 March 2025.
Christie’s is privileged to present Frank Auerbach’s Nude on Bed III (1961, estimate: £700,000 – £1,000,000) as a highlight of its Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale, scheduled for 19 March 2025.
Owned by the Hon. Moyra Campbell (1924-2024) for over six decades, this remarkable painting was last displayed publicly during Auerbach’s retrospective at the Hayward Gallery and the Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh in 1978. A woman of intellect and refined taste, Campbell played a crucial role in the top-secret Y-Service at Bletchley Park during the Second World War before leading an influential life in Edinburgh and London. She later worked alongside Count Robert-Jean de Vogüé, director of Moët et Chandon in France, for many years.
The painting originates from a pivotal moment in Auerbach’s career, when he was gaining recognition under the guidance of the renowned London gallerist Helen Lessore. She first showcased the work at her Beaux Arts Gallery in 1962, the year after its creation. Lessore discovered Auerbach’s talent at a Royal College of Art graduate exhibition in 1955 and played a key role in establishing his reputation, hosting his first solo exhibition in 1956 and organising annual shows from 1957 to 1964. Moyra Campbell acquired the piece at the 1962 exhibition, and it has remained in her collection ever since.
Nude on Bed III is sculpted from thick layers of impasto, radiating light from the deep monochromatic tones of Auerbach’s Camden studio. Created at the height of the School of London movement, the painting exemplifies his distinctive interpretation of the female form and marks a significant milestone in his artistic journey. This period saw Auerbach and his contemporaries reinvigorate figurative painting in post-war Britain, drawing inspiration from their muses to produce works of striking intensity. A 1963 photograph by John Deakin, taken at Wheeler’s Restaurant, captures Auerbach alongside Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon, both of whom, like him, placed the reclining nude at the heart of their explorations of the human condition.
Nude on Bed III demonstrates Auerbach’s ability to merge subject and setting into a unified, dynamic composition. His technique of repeatedly layering, scraping back, and repainting creates a dense, sculptural texture, imbuing the figure with an almost ethereal quality. The monochromatic palette of his early works serves to enhance the presence of the female form, subtly distinguishing it from its surroundings.
“With its impeccable provenance, untouched presence on the market, and deep connection to the artist’s formative years, Nude on Bed III is poised to be a highlight of the season. Its rich impasto bears witness to the artist’s commitment to capturing the sensibility of the human form. This sale not only honours the legacy of Frank Auerbach, who died towards the end of last year, but also celebrates the remarkable life of Hon. Moyra Campbell, whose vision and passion for collecting ensured the preservation of this masterpiece for generations. As interest in Auerbach’s work further intensifies, this auction marks a defining moment for collectors and admirers of British art alike. We look forward to offering this work at auction in the upcoming Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale on 19 March.” - Philip Harley, Senior Director, Modern British and Irish Art, Christie’s London.
The Modern British and Irish Art Day Sale, taking place on 20 March, will also feature another significant piece from Moyra Campbell’s collection: Mary Martin’s Diagonal Rhythm on Black, 1967.
