Reynolds Letter Up For Auction
August 4 2020
Picture: LiveAuctioneers
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A letter written by Sir Joshua Reynolds is coming up for auction in Boston later this month. Written to an unknown recipient, it describes there the whereabouts of his portrait of Nancy Reynolds and a Pieta by Palma Giovanne for which he asks 20 guineas. As William Boothby is described as the owner of the Nancy Reynolds picture, it may well related to this fine portrait that sold for £62,500 at Sotheby's in 2013.
The letter carries an estimate of $2,000 - $3,000. If it makes the top estimate, then this might be a third of the way towards purchasing a low-end Reynolds. Alternatively, much closer to purchasing this handsome studio piece which made $5,000 two years ago.
