20th Century British Art

Overview

The 20th Century British Art sales at Sotheby's present the best of British paintings, drawings and sculpture throughout a century that probably saw more change, both artistically and politically, than any other.

Beginning with the ground-breaking Edwardians, such as Augustus John and William Nicholson, we pass through the Modernist and Surrealist years between the wars, through Neo-Romanticism, the realism and abstraction of the 1950s, the birth of Pop and right up to the present day. International names abound alongside less well-known figures which let collectors access a field that is endlessly absorbing in great depth.

With sales in 2009 totaling £12,627,175 we are the world market leaders in our field and have successfully demonstrated that demand is extremely strong for works which are fresh to the market, of exceptional quality and which carry realistic pre-sale estimates.

Our landmark sale of Lord and Lady Attenborough's Collection in November 2009 was...

Art Directions by Lord Attenborough and his son Michael

ART DIRECTIONS

Both celebrated actors, Lord and Lady Attenborough have proved to be sensitive and astute art collectors, amassing a collection of modern works by artists such as Barbara Hepworth, L. S. Lowry, Christopher Nevinson, Ben Nicholson and Sir Henry Moore. Renowned for roles in films such as In Which We Serve, Brighton Rock, The Great Escape and as director of Shadowlands, Chaplin, Cry Freedom and the Oscar winning Gandhi, here...