A studio sale and auction of more than 120 paintings by artist Andrew Festing, known above all for his portraits of the Royal family, has raised nearly £60,000 for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).
A fellow and former president of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mr Festing has painted more than 750 portraits, including paintings of the late Queen Elizabeth II, during a career spanning more than 40 years. Alongside his portraits, he has painted landscapes, still lifes, and self-portraits, often for friends and family, but also for his own enjoyment and practice.
An online auction, which closed on 24 September, saw 120 paintings from his personal collection sold for £53,611, with an additional £5,000 in match funding sponsorship from Lycetts, making a total of £58,611.
Mr Festing grew up near Tarset in Northumberland and still lives in the area. The collection featured many landscapes local to the north east of England, as well as scenes from other parts of the world that he has visited on his travels. The sale also included portrait studies of former sitters including HRH The Princess Royal and HRH Princess Alexandra.
An exhibition held at Capheaton Hall in Northumberland featuring the works on 19 and 20 September attracted hundreds of visitors who came to view Mr Festing’s paintings.
Andrew Festing says: “I am amazed and delighted by the total amount raised. I wasn’t sure that anyone would want my paintings and so I am very grateful to all those who placed a bid and happy to think of the pictures finding new homes.
“I hope that the proceeds can go some way towards supporting the conservation science carried out by the GWCT that is so crucial to preserving our wonderful countryside and its wildlife for future generations.”
Sophie Dingwall, regional organiser for the GWCT who set up the auction, says: “I am utterly delighted by the success of the Andrew Festing Studio Sale. A huge thanks to everyone who helped make the sale and exhibition possible and especially Andrew Festing for his unbelievable generosity in donating all the proceeds to the GWCT.
“I would also like to thank Charlotte Hepburne-Scott, Andrew’s daughter, for her invaluable involvement. It was a team effort which included Willy and Eliza Browne-Swinburne for the loan of Capheaton Hall for the exhibition, my husband Patrick and son Arthur Dingwall, Ian Greensitt and David Forster, from the Northumberland committee, and especially Dick Murphy for leading the project.”
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ more than 60 post-doctoral scientists and other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust also has a dedicated professional advisory service to make sure that the results of its research are easily available to farmers, landowners, gamekeepers, and others delivering practical conservation.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: ewilliams@gwct.org.uk