Cornish artist paints a picture - Fred Yates paintings to go under the Charterhouse hammer

“The paintings have quite interesting provenance as the owner bought Fred Yates’s cottage in Fowey back in the early 1980s. When the negotiations had finished, Fred gave her the rectangular painting of the figures in the park and at the same time she purchased the larger picture of the figures outside a church in Fowey.” commented Richard Bromell. “However, when she moved in to the cottage, she found the five smaller paintings, including a self-portrait of Fred smoking a pipe.”

Fred Yates has often been described as a happy Lowry. His own distinctive painting style, often with thick paint squeezed straight from the tube in vibrant colours, ensured his artwork was and continues to be admired by collectors and museums.

The first painting being sold by Charterhouse in Sherborne is of a church in Fowey. Bought by the owner directly from Fred Yates, just like all the other pictures it has not been on the open market since she acquired it. Despite having paid just a few pounds for the picture, it is now expected to sell for £4,000-6,000.

Next up is the smaller rectangular picture, which Fred gave to her as a present, of figures in a park, estimated at £500-800.

Finally there are the five small pictures she found dotted about in the cottage, including the self-portrait, which are being sold as a lot estimated at £500-800.

The owner, who lives near Taunton, is thinking of downsizing and took advantage of the home visit service offered by the Charterhouse team of specialist valuers.

Charterhouse is now accepting further entries for their July specialist auctions which include pictures, books and maps on the 26th and classic, vintage and modern supercars at Sherborne Castle on the 16th.

For further information regarding these auctions, or to arrange a home visit, contact Justine Jackson or Richard Bromell at Charterhouse on 01935-812277 or email items for valuation at info@charterhouse-auction.com