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The legacy of filmmaker, writer and collector Peter Adam is beautifully encapsulated in the selection of works from his private collection, offered through Chiswick Auctions as part of a Modern British & Irish Art sale.
Source: The Guardian. Photograph: Robert McNab
Born in 1929 Berlin, Adam made a lasting contribution to British arts and culture, notably through his two-decade career at the BBC. As editor of Arena and Review, he shaped the creative identity of BBC Two during its most formative years. Sir David Attenborough once described him as “one of the key figures who helped to establish the character of BBC Two during its golden age”.
Adam’s home was filled with artworks that reflected his deep connection to the British art scene. His friendships with some of the most notable Modern British artists – including Prunella Clough, Keith Vaughan and Wyndham Lewis – form the foundation of this collection.
Among the most significant works in the collection is Portrait of a Lady with a French Poodle by Wyndham Lewis. Although the sitter remains unidentified, there’s speculation that it may depict the pioneering architect and designer Eileen Gray. The painting, originally gifted by Lewis to Gray, passed through the hands of her niece Prunella Clough before arriving with Adam. It hung in his Paris apartment, testament to its personal and artistic value.
Lot 28 - Wyndham Lewis (British, 1882 - 1957), Portrait of a Lady with a French Poodle, Property from the collection of the late Peter Adam
Estimate £15,000 - £18,000
Clough’s Woman Minding Machine from 1952 is a prime example of her celebrated industrial paintings. The figure, absorbed in her task, reflects Clough’s unique way of recording Britain’s shifting post-war identity. The painting was a personal gift from Clough to Adam, further underlining the close friendship between the two.
Lot 33 - Prunella Clough (British 1919-1999), Woman Winding Machine, Property from the collection of the late Peter Adam
Estimate £30,000 - £50,000
Perhaps the most intimate works in the collection are those by Keith Vaughan. Adam was not only his close friend and confidant but also his biographer, literary executor and exhibition curator. The group includes a sketchbook dated 1962, reflecting Vaughan’s ongoing exploration of form and abstraction. Also featured are letters from Vaughan to Adam that document the warmth of their relationship, including one charmingly signed off, “Let’s meet soon, Love Keith”.
One of the standout works is Vaughan’s oil painting Two Figures with a Snake, which has featured in a number of major exhibitions. It represents the strength of their connection and the central role Vaughan’s work played in Adam’s collection
Lot 34 - Keith Vaughan (British, 1912 - 1977), Ischia Cheese & Grill sketchbook, accompanied by three letters written from the artist to Peter Adam
Estimate £5,000 - £7,000
Lot 32- Keith Vaughan (British, 1912 - 1977), Two Figues with a Snake, Property from the collection of the late Peter Adam
Estimate £30,000 - £50,000
Peter Adam's collection reflects not only a deep appreciation for Modern British art, but also the friendships, collaborations and artistic dialogues that shaped a pivotal period in British cultural history. From important gifts to insightful sketches, these works represent a personal journey through post-war art, captured with the eye of someone who truly understood the creative spirit of the time.
Get in touch with our dedicated specialists by emailing pictures@chiswickauctions.co.uk or submit an online valuation.