23rd Apr, 2026 10:00
John Tunnard – The Brian Whitton Collection: Their Lives and Work
§ John Tunnard - Vane | mixed media
John Tunnard
(1900-1971)
"Vane",
dated 1942,
mixed media,
38 x 57cms, 55 x 73cms in frame.
Exhibition:
-The Redfern Gallery, 'John Tunnard', July 9th-August 1st 1942, No.6.
Provenance:
-Redfern Gallery to Mrs Penrose, Marlborough, Wilts (23rd July 1942);
-Henry A. Turl;
-Johnathan Clark Fine Art Autumn 2003, No. 25 (had owned previously and now returned by the person to whom it had been sold);
-Clark to Brian Witton 21st October 2003 for £15,000.
Notes:
A surrealist piece, Vane shows a strong influence of Paul Klee. The Tunnardian 'landscape' stems from the imagination, but the elements in it are often disquietingly familiar. In this case, the "Vane" is given the colours of red and blue, hinting at north and south, to which a weather vane points. Alnico magnets gained popularity in the early 1940s. Tunnard may be using the contrast to make a statement of the two sides of the war, perhaps the male and female, as the two colours have different shapes. Either way, both are attracted to the same point. Tunnard is making a statement at the height of the Second World War, as a pacifist and a registered conscientious objector, that although both sides are opposed, ultimately, they can come together for the good of humanity.
Also, Tunnard’s friend, Rudolph Glossop, claimed that he had been regarded as a promising mathematician when at Charterhouse and claimed that "had he not chosen to be a painter, he might well have been an outstanding civil engineer or architect". Tunnard’s former student, Jonathon X Quadrille, recalled that he would talk as happily about the engine of his Hispano Suiza motor car as about the practice of painting’. The ‘technological eye’ that produced the machine-like constructions and contemporary imagery of his paintings around this time greatly appealed to his contemporaries, who were scientists and engineers, several of whom became friends and collectors.
Sold for £25,000
IN PERSON: If you want to experience the atmosphere of the Auction Room the best way to do this is always to turn up in person. You simply register your personal details at Reception (so leave at least 10 minutes for this before your lot in case there is a queue) and you are issued with a paddle number which you hold up to the auctioneer when you wish to bid. If you haven't done so already you can view your lot(s) this way on the same day. There is time before each auction starts to do this however if you ask the staff on duty they can bring lots to you for inspection if the auction has began.
COMMISSION/ABSENTEE BID: If you are unable to attend the sale in person or would like the Auctioneer to bid on your behalf you can leave a bid on our website when registered (up to 30 minutes before the auction begins) and you'll receive and e-mail confirming them. Alternatively, send them to bids@andersonandgarland.com or telephone our team on 0191 430 3000 and we'll be happy to add them for you. We will try to secure the item for you as reasonably as is allowed by other bids and the reserve price, if any. Commissions placed by telephone, fax or e-mail are made only at the buyer's own risk.
INTERNET BIDDING: You an also bid live via our website. When choosing to bid live via www.andersonandgarland.com you will need to register, using a bank card, to verify your address details. We would ask for you to register before the sale to make sure that you are verified for when you come to bid in the auction. To bid live on the sale day you will access the sale by going to www.andersonandgarland.com and clicking on the sale this will have a grey banner across the sale photograph which says 'bid live'. Please click on this and it will take you to the sale. Please note the bid live banner only appears once the sale commences on the sale day and is not there beforehand.
You can also bid live on www.the-saleroom.com however this is hosting site charges an additional 6% (plus VAT).
TELEPHONE: Telephone bids are only available for lots estimated at over £250. Lots which are bought for less than £250 via telephone bidding will incur a £10 (plus VAT) per lot charge. We only accept telephone bidding registrations up to the day prior to the lot in question going under the hammer. At the point of registration all new bidders will be required to submit proof of identification and address. This can be either a current driver's licence or ID card showing the registered address, or a passport together with a recent utility bill bearing the registered address which can be emailed to a.orgill@andersonandgarland.com. Only when this identification is received can the registration process be completed and your telephone line will then be secured for you. As the number of telephone lines are limited, early booking is recommended. (We also recommend that you leave an “emergency cover bid" in case we are unable to reach you by telephone). Please note - there are inherent dangers with telephone bidding; despite our best efforts, Anderson & Garland Ltd. may be unable to contact the intending bidder at the appropriate time. All such arrangements are therefore made entirely at the intending bidder’s risk.
Auction: John Tunnard – The Brian Whitton Collection: Their Lives and Work, 23rd Apr, 2026
Click the 'View' button on the right to view higlights from this sale.
Viewing
Tues 21/04/26 10am - 3pm
Wed 22/04/26 10am - 3pm
