Ewbank’s, Surrey’s leading international auction house, has sales this month that are sure to pique the interest of art lovers - a timed auction of a cache of almost 100 paintings by Michael Hutchings next Wednesday, and specialist live sales of decorative art and contemporary art on October 28.

The collection of nearly 100 paintings by Michael Hutchings (1918-2020), a previously-unknown artist, is of such quality that Ewbank’s is to hold a dedicated timed sale of them.

The title of the sale pays tribute to his driving belief that it was the artist’s job to let the colour express itself: The Michael Hutchings Collection: Let The Colour Do The Drawing. Estimates for the works range from £20 to £150.

Pieces of note include an acrylic onboard of a harbour scene, valued between £100 and £150; and an acrylic entitled Bridge At Mostar, also carrying an estimate of between £100 and £150.

Whether landscapes, portraits, character studies, abstracts and semi-abstracts, Hutchings’ mastery of the palette led to the creation of vibrant compositions where line and form were strictly defined by the use of block colour and colour shade. As in nature, he found no need for separate outline.

Faced with a choice between art and medicine as a career after serving in the Second World war, he became a pathologist, working in London hospitals. However, he never abandoned his first love, painting, and kept an active studio wherever he lived, spending most of his adult life in Barnes, in the south-west of the capital.

He trained at Chelsea College of Art and The Slade after returning from the war, and also at Putney School of Art and the Open School of Art.

Hutchings became a member of the Royal Academy and exhibited at a number of shows over the years, where he sold works and won several competitions.

"His was an extraordinary life and he left behind a rich and accomplished body of work we are privileged to be able to present now," says Andrew Ewbank, partner and auctioneer.

"The volume, range and quality of the works in the sale present a real opportunity to establish an ongoing market for Michael Hutchings.

"He may not have been able to pursue his first love as a career during his lifetime, but his talent certainly deserves significant recognition now."

Highlights in the October 28 contemporary art auction include a watercolour by British artist John Piper (1903-1992) which has never been on public sale before - it has been within the vendor’s family since the 1970s.

Entitled The Red Cottage By The Railway, Pembrokeshire, this striking picture is a luminous example of Piper’s fascination with the otherworldly qualities of the British landscape.

* For valuations, get in touch with the team at Ewbank’s, call 01483 223101 or email [email protected].

* Valuations can be obtained between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday - no need for appointments.

* Live internet bidding is available through ewbankauctions.co.uk

The collection of nearly 100 paintings by Michael Hutchings (1918-2020), a previously-unknown artist, is of such quality that Ewbank’s is to hold a dedicated timed sale of them.

The title of the sale pays tribute to his driving belief that it was the artist’s job to let the colour express itself: The Michael Hutchings Collection: Let The Colour Do The Drawing. Estimates for the works range from £20 to £150.

Pieces of note include an acrylic onboard of a harbour scene, valued between £100 and £150; and an acrylic entitled Bridge At Mostar, also carrying an estimate of between £100 and £150.

Whether landscapes, portraits, character studies, abstracts and semi-abstracts, Hutchings’ mastery of the palette led to the creation of vibrant compositions where line and form were strictly defined by the use of block colour and colour shade. As in nature, he found no need for separate outline.

Faced with a choice between art and medicine as a career after serving in the Second World war, he became a pathologist, working in London hospitals. However, he never abandoned his first love, painting, and kept an active studio wherever he lived, spending most of his adult life in Barnes, in the south-west of the capital.

He trained at Chelsea College of Art and The Slade after returning from the war, and also at Putney School of Art and the Open School of Art.

Hutchings became a member of the Royal Academy and exhibited at a number of shows over the years, where he sold works and won several competitions.

"His was an extraordinary life and he left behind a rich and accomplished body of work we are privileged to be able to present now," says Andrew Ewbank, partner and auctioneer.

"The volume, range and quality of the works in the sale present a real opportunity to establish an ongoing market for Michael Hutchings.

"He may not have been able to pursue his first love as a career during his lifetime, but his talent certainly deserves significant recognition now."

Highlights in the October 28 contemporary art auction include a watercolour by British artist John Piper (1903-1992) which has never been on public sale before - it has been within the vendor’s family since the 1970s.

Entitled The Red Cottage By The Railway, Pembrokeshire, this striking picture is a luminous example of Piper’s fascination with the otherworldly qualities of the British landscape.

- For valuations, get in touch with the team at Ewbank’s, call 01483 223101 or email [email protected].

- Valuations can be obtained between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday - no need for appointments.

- Live internet bidding is available through ewbankauctions.co.uk