27 October 2026
Auction, Collection Story
With strong results across a considered selection of 28 works by some of Australia’s most celebrated artists, Deutscher and Hackett’s auction of An Important Private Collection, Canberra, held in Sydney on Wednesday 14 October, achieved an impressive total turnover of $8.7 million (inc. BP + GST), alongside elevated clearance rates of 96% by value and 93% by volume.
Assembled over 25 years with an astute eye, the private collection brought together exceptional examples by leading figures of Australian modernism and contemporary art – each distinguished by impeccable provenance and exhibition histories. Alongside the strong results realised for individual works, the impressive clearance rates attest not only to the continued strength of the Australian art market, but importantly, highlight the increasing demand among discerning collectors for works of premium quality and art-historical significance.
Particularly notable was Brett Whiteley’s sumptuous Lavender Bay in the rain, 1974, which realised $1,075,000 (inc. BP + GST), thereby affirming the enduring appeal of the artist’s celebrated Sydney harbour images; Sidney Nolan’s monumental The disguise, 1964 from his iconic Kelly series which achieved $750,000 (inc. BP + GST); and Jeffrey Smart’s meticulously composed Containers at Pisa airport, 1998 – 99, and John Brack’s enigmatic The performance (seven figures), 1989, which each realised $675,000 (inc. BP + GST). Meanwhile, Bronwyn Oliver’s exquisite copper sculpture Unity, 2001, also performed strongly, selling for $625,000 (inc. BP + GST), while Fred Williams’ pioneering minimalist landscape Landscape with hillock (2), 1969, and Brack’s incisive social observation Four pairs and a single, 1971, each achieved $600,000 (inc. BP + GST).
Deutscher and Hackett is now inviting consignments to its final Important Australian + International Fine Art auction for 2026, to be held on Wednesday 2 December in Melbourne. For further information or to request a confidential market appraisal, please do not hesitate to contact our either our Sydney or Melbourne galleries.
