15th Nov, 2025 9:30 GMT/BST
British, European & Sporting Art
1067
Follower of Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674) French
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
Oil on canvas, 205.5cm by 148.5cm
With label verso bearing the name Thomas Agnew and Sons Ltd. and the number 1165
For comparable, smaller-scale work, see Christie's Sale, "Important Old Masters and British Pictures Sale, Including Property from the Collection of the Princely House of Leichtenstein", 9 July 2008, Lot 197, sold for £49,250 (including buyer's premium and all fees)
Provenance: Early Provenance unknown
The property of Mount St Mary's College & Barlborough Hall School, Derbyshire until 2025
This work is on behalf of the Joint Administrators of Mount St Mary's College & Barlborough Hall School, Derbyshire
Sold for £8,500
Estimated at £6,000 - £9,000
Lined. All keys present, a little slack. Fairly stiff lining. One fairly new tear to the bottom of the canvas in the front foot of St Thomas - horizontal approx 6 inches scratch with an approx 2 inch break in canvas pushed through and protruding at the reverse. Unrestored. Original tacking margins removed. Brittle age craquelure throughout, slightly raised. Much is secure, but there are some larger passages of lifting and active flaking and loss - some of which is to old restoration in these areas indicating a continued history of flaking. Notably, middle of left, right and bottom stretcher bar marks and in the bottom right quadrant (see images), the latter having some larger unrestored losses up to 1.5inches approx. Further more minor areas of flaking and lifting. Likely several campaigns of old restoration (not visible in ultraviolet light). Scattered further areas of restoration to old losses and damages, and possible old tears (see lumpy area in Christ's chest). Overpaint at all edges. It is difficult to see the extent of the restoration as the old layers of very discoloured and degraded varnish are crizzled and becoming opaque. Matt patches associated with the restoration in places. Old ingrained dirt and varnish. Thick surface dirt, scuffs, scratches and surface accretions.
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Auction: British, European & Sporting Art, 15th Nov, 2025
An early work by Alfred Munnings depicting Romani life at Norwich’s historic Tombland Fair is set to lead the sale. Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) grew up in the deeply rural Waveney Valley in Suffolk, and his childhood was spent sketching the working horses around the family mill. Going on to set up his own studio, the opening decade of the 20th century saw him established himself as an artist painting in rural East Anglia, documenting the countryside and country life, sketching travellers, working horses and the local society in his characteristic impressionistic manner, filled with colour and light. It was only after the First World War that he went on to concentrate on painting horses, becoming the most celebrated equestrian artist of the 20th century.
A good range of traditional Sporting art of offer in the sale includes a rare depiction of a 19th century boxing match - one of the most fascinating works in the sale. It illustrates the match which took place between Carter and Oliver at Gretna Green on 4th October 1816 on the estate of Sir James Maxwell. The stakes were a hefty 100 guineas each, and the contest took place in a 24-foot roped ring in front of approximately 30,000 spectators, leaving the streets around Carlisle empty. Going into the match, Oliver was the favourite to win, but despite rumours of Carter’s lack of prowess, he dominated the fight and came out the victor. Carter was seconded by Painter and Harmer, and Oliver by Cribb and Copper, whose names are painted on the bottom of the frame.
There is also a strong selection of ornithological works by the likes of Archibald Thorburn and John Cyril Harrison.
Further highlights of the sale include The Incredulity of St Thomas by a Follower of Philippe de Champaigne, and a charming depiction of two children inspecting a bird’s nest by Dorothea Sharp.
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Sunday 9th November - Thursday 13th November 11am-3pm, Friday 14th November 8am-3pm, and morning of the sale from 8am
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