Raymond Booth - ORIGINAL FINE OIL - THREE STUDIES OF A WEASEL

UK Painting. Illus. by Raymond Booth. Near Fine. mounted. 215mm x 300mm. A fine illustration in oil, Three studies of a Weasel, unsigned. The image size is approximately 215mm x 300mm. The overall size including mount is 265 x 350 mm. In near fine condition, a few very faint, almost imperceptible marks to the paper, fine acid free mount and backing mount board. An extraordinary fine oil study. [RAYMOND BOOTH (1929-2015) Generally recognised as one of the greatest botanical artists of the twentieth century, was also a naturalist and accomplished gardener. His passion for the natural world shines through in his highly detailed oil studies of flora and fauna. Booth developed a more or less unique painting technique. Firstly, rather than using traditional watercolour he used oil paints. Secondly, he generally used paper as this allowed an exactitude that even fine canvas would not. The resultant paintings were highly luminous with an intensity of colour that watercolour could never achieve, at the same time there was no sacrifice of detail or precision. Raymond Booth 'studio sale' (subtitled An Artist Immersed in Nature) took place at Tennants Auctioneers, Leyburn, Yorkshire, on Saturday 7 October 2023. All of the 90 paintings offered were sold. Lots 41 "A Branch of Apples" and 45 "A Shelf of Plants" were the best performing and sold for £9,500 (£1,223.60) and £8,500 (£10, 948.00) respectively. Lot 68 Iris ensata made £1,200 (£1,545.60) and lot 69 "Iris barnumae var. urmiensis sold for £900 (£1,159.20). The figures in brackets include buyer's premium i.e. the total cost of the item. He was equally a remarkable plantsman. ] 0 0.