16th Sep, 2026 12:00
London | Ancient & Modern
10
BERNHARD SICKERT (BRITISH 1862-1932)
ON THE THAMES
signed Bernhard Sickert lower right
pastel and charcoal on paper
26 x 36cm (43 x 53.5cm framed)
Property from a Private Collection, West London
Provenance:
Sale, Tennants, Leyburn, 20th October 2018, lot 48
Louise Kosman, Edinburgh
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Bernhard Sickert was born in to an artistic family from Munich, who relocated to London when he was just six years old. Bernhard suffered from ill health and painting was the only solace for his weak constitution. He did however travel extensively with his brother, the better known painter Walter Sickert (1860-1942), through Dieppe, Holland, Italy and France. However it was London which really gripped him. Sickert was a member of the New English Art Club (1888-1909) and in 1889 he and his brother were two of just ten artists elected to exhibition as part of the 'London Impressionists' at London’s Goupil Gallery.
Bernard also published James McNeill Whistler’s autobiography in 1908. Sickert was fascinated by the older artist and his work displays a clear debt to Whistler's ability to enliven a landscape to more than mere topography. He seems to have been in contact with Whistler around 1899-1902 when he approached him about a small monograph which was not published until 1908, several years after Whistler's death.
Sold for £150
ON THE THAMES
signed Bernhard Sickert lower right
pastel and charcoal on paper
26 x 36cm (43 x 53.5cm framed)
Property from a Private Collection, West London
Provenance:
Sale, Tennants, Leyburn, 20th October 2018, lot 48
Louise Kosman, Edinburgh
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Bernhard Sickert was born in to an artistic family from Munich, who relocated to London when he was just six years old. Bernhard suffered from ill health and painting was the only solace for his weak constitution. He did however travel extensively with his brother, the better known painter Walter Sickert (1860-1942), through Dieppe, Holland, Italy and France. However it was London which really gripped him. Sickert was a member of the New English Art Club (1888-1909) and in 1889 he and his brother were two of just ten artists elected to exhibition as part of the 'London Impressionists' at London’s Goupil Gallery.
Bernard also published James McNeill Whistler’s autobiography in 1908. Sickert was fascinated by the older artist and his work displays a clear debt to Whistler's ability to enliven a landscape to more than mere topography. He seems to have been in contact with Whistler around 1899-1902 when he approached him about a small monograph which was not published until 1908, several years after Whistler's death.
Auction: London | Ancient & Modern, 16th Sep, 2026
London is a city which has had a greater impact on culture around the world than almost any other, and it has never been more important than now to shine a light on its remarkable citizens and history. From Magna Carta to the television London has, again and again, been the source from which progress has radiated. The present sale takes us from a medieval spur found under Cannon Street station, to a medal minted to commemorate the Millennium, from prints and paintings, to clocks and pistols. This sale is a sensational opportunity to acquire a small piece of this incomparable place. Olympia is a proudly London-based auction house and we are thrilled to be offering the inaugural instalment of this sale.
Viewing
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 13th September: 12pm to 4pm
Monday 14th September: 10am to 8.00pm (Drinks from 5pm)
Tuesday 15th September: 10am to 5pm
