Chiswick Auctions will present a John Nash (1893–1977) painting, Poplar Plantation, as one of many highlights in our Modern British & Irish Art Sale on Tuesday 19 November at 14:00
The auction includes 14 works consigned by the national homelessness charity Crisis, with proceeds from those lots going towards the vital work Crisis does both at Christmas and all year round to support people experiencing homelessness. The charity provides services across Great Britain to help people find housing, develop new skills and gain confidence so they can take their first steps to a life out of homelessness.
Poplar Plantation, painted in 1974, is an oil on canvas likely painted near Polstead, Suffolk. The work is notable for its inclusion of a hunter and two dogs, an uncommon motif in Nash’s art, where the natural world usually stands alone. It was previously with the prolific London art gallery, Thomas Agnew’s & Sons, before being offered by Christie’s in the late 1990s.
Best known for his lyrical and quietly structured landscapes, Nash often conveyed a human presence through the character of trees, plants and the changing countryside. This painting stands apart for its subtle narrative and sense of life within the scene.
“It’s a quietly remarkable painting” said James Flower, Head of Modern British & Irish Art at Chiswick Auctions. “Late paintings by Nash rarely come onto the market, and Poplar Plantation captures his enduring admiration for the natural world, and role we play within it. We’re proud to see it play a part in raising funds for Crisis this winter.”
John Nash R.A. (British, 1893-1977) Poplar Plantation, Estimate £8,000 - £12,000
From 1944 onwards, Nash’s work centred on the rural surroundings of Bottengoms Farm, his home near Wormingford, extending to the docklands of Colchester and Ipswich, the Stour Valley, and local mill ponds.
When painting further afield, including in France and Cornwall, his wife Christine often helped scout locations, with Nash later walking the landscape to find the ideal view before setting up his easel.
Poplar Plantation will be offered alongside works by fellow British artists. These include Peter Brook’s Autumn Landscape and Philip Sutton’s Southwold.
View the full sale catalogue here
The full sale will be on view from the 14-18 November at The Barley Mow Centre, W4 4PH.
The 14 lots being sold on behalf of Crisis were held within the charity’s collection and are now being auctioned to raise funds for its essential services supporting people experiencing homelessness across Great Britain.
Every Christmas Crisis, with the support of thousands of incredible volunteers, provides warmth, companionship and vital support, from GP appointments and haircuts to support finding a safe place to stay. These efforts are part of Crisis’s long-term goal to end homelessness for good.
Liz Choonara, Executive Director of Commerce & Enterprise, at Crisis said: “We’re so grateful to Chiswick Auctions for their support, which comes at a time when we are seeing high demand for our services. No one should have to face the trauma and indignity of homelessness, yet across Britain thousands of people are sleeping rough on any given night and there are more than 130,000 households struck in temporary accommodation. The proceeds from the auction will help change lives, enabling us to work with people one-on-one to help them leave homelessness behind for good.”
Crisis is the national charity for people facing homelessness across Wales, Scotland and England. We know that homelessness is not inevitable, and we know that together, we can end it.
We provide services directly to people experiencing homelessness, carry out research into the causes and consequences of homelessness, and campaign for the changes needed to end it.
You can contact the Crisis media team on 020 7426 3880, media@crisis.org.uk, or 07973 372587 (out of hours).
