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Albert Tucker

This Month

Carol Jerrems’ Vale Street, 1975, the image for which the late Australian photographer is best known, blew through its estimate to set a record for an Australian photograph.

A record-setting photo and a $2.5m number plate

The biggest auction of the year so far delivered $10 million in sales and a record price for an iconic image, while a small plate brings a big price.

  • Elizabeth Fortescue

June 2024

Among three major Brett Whiteley artworks owned by the late Melbourne businessman Ron Walker is Her, 1967. In oil and mixed media on plywood, and measuring 183 x 237.5 cm, the work is estimated at between $1.8 million and $2.4 million in Smith + Singer’s July 24 sale catalogue.

Fine art collection of late Ron Walker to fetch up to $8m

He helped build modern Melbourne but the works that hung in his Toorak mansion, and are now for sale, had a very Sydney flavour.

  • Elizabeth Fortescue

April 2023

Psychedelic Head, 1990, by the late Melbourne artist Howard Arkley sold for a mere $7150 in 1992. Its estimate in Smith & Singer’s May 2, 2023 auction is $250,000 to $350,000. The large work, measuring 175cm by 135cm, is from the Selwyn and Renata Litton collection.

Olsen, Arkley and other art stars headline $10m sale

How the market reacts to John Olsen’s death will be tested when he joins a who’s who of modern Australian art - and a few Lucian Freuds - in Smith & Singer’s sale.

  • Elizabeth Fortescue

March 2022

Jeffrey Smart, Dampier II, 1966-1967, estimate $350,000 to $450,000, being auctioned by Smith & Singer in Sydney on April 12.

The naked truth? Jeffrey Smart steps up again

Egged on by a National Gallery exhibition, buyers are spending up big on the modernist and a particularly personal work could be landing at just the right time.

  • Gabriella Coslovich

November 2021

NAB to sell 2500-work corporate art collection

The bank expects to make $10 million from its vast collection of mainly 1970s Australian art and will put the money into climate resilience programs.

  • Gabriella Coslovich
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September 2021

Harry Oviss in his St Kilda Road apartment in 2014.

Family sells 70 years of accumulated artworks

Melbourne businessman Harry Oviss didn’t sell a single item in his vast collection; that job has fallen to his children.

  • Gabriella Coslovich

April 2021

David Leggatt, left, solicitor for Alex Stanowitsch, with some of the art found to be basically worthless during his winning court case.

Guilty verdict in Melbourne fake art scam

One of the associates of “notorious” Melbourne art dealer Peter Gant has been found guilty of misleading or deceptive conduct in a failed investment scheme that used a cache of fake art as security.

  • Gabriella Coslovich
Alexander Stanowitsch with six of the fake paintings that were in the courtroom, and his lawyer David Leggatt. Pictured outside the Melbourne County Court. Picture by Wayne Taylor 30th March 2021. AFR

He said, ‘You should invest, I’ll help you out’

When a friend suggested an art investment scheme that returned 20 per cent a year, it seemed an ideal opportunity. But seven years later the claims, like the art, have failed to deliver.

  • Gabriella Coslovich

November 2020

The love of Bunny's life now top lot for Smith & Singer

Rupert Bunny’s portrait of his French muse could set a new record for the artist at a $10 million-plus sale. Hopefully it will avoid the fiery end of its predecessor.

  • Gabriella Coslovich

March 2020

John Peter Russell, Portofino, estimate GBP 60,000 to GBP 80,000 Saleroom

Amid shutdowns, Christie's offers Australian art rarities

In its first auction of Australian art for four years, Christie's London will offer several works never before seen on the secondary market.

  • Gabriella Coslovich

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/person/albert-tucker-1wh