Victor Pasmore Value: Top Prices Paid at Auction

Victor Pasmore was a proponent of pure abstraction, which he viewed as a way of capturing the essential qualities of art. His work, Linear Motif In Black And White (1960-1961), is a prime example of this approach and explores three-dimensionality by incorporating a range of materials, including acrylic and gravure on Formica, similar to woodblock printing. Through layering these composite materials, Pasmore creates a work that is as much an object as a picture, inviting the viewer to consider the physicality of the materials used in its creation. Linear Motif In Black And White is a seminal representation of Pasmore's oeuvre, showcasing his innovative approach to form, material, and perception.

This work is his auction record and sold for £329,000 (fees included) at Christie’s in June 2017.

The Studio of Ingres (1945-1946) marks Victor Pasmore's transition from representational to abstract art. Inspired by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, this painting interprets Ingres' studio and his renowned artwork, “Odalisque.” Pasmore employs formal composition, blending geometric shapes to create depth while the muted palette enhances the studio's ambiance. Pasmore abstracts the woman's body within white linens, foreshadowing his interest in movement and aesthetics. This fusion of references led to a remarkable sale of £221,500 (fees included) at Sotheby's in June 1997, the second-highest price for a Pasmore artwork.

This artwork signifies a pivotal moment in Victor Pasmore's artistic journey, marking his shift from representational techniques learned at the Euston Road School to embracing abstraction. It amalgamates various artistic influences, blending a vibrant palette reminiscent of American Abstract Expressionists with geometric forms akin to British Modern Abstract artists like Terry Frost. Like his English counterparts, Pasmore draws inspiration from the natural world, undergoing an aesthetic transformation inspired by cosmic magnificence.

Abstract in Indian Red, Crimson, Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink, and Orange (1957) fetched an impressive £200,000 (fees included) at Christie's in October 2019, highlighting its artistic and historical significance.

Linear Image: The New Vitruvius (1965-1967) exemplifies Victor Pasmore's evolved artistic style, defined by its minimalist precision and geometric perfection. This artwork features a symmetrically deviated circle nestled within a blue-grey square and bordered by white. Utilising a blend of oil and gravure, Pasmore meticulously captures his intended vision.

Inspired by Vitruvius, the Roman architect whose work influenced Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, Pasmore delves into the relationship between natural forms and classical harmony. Adding his unique twist, Pasmore integrates abstract engravings of human limbs within the white circle. The artwork showcases profound complexity, weaving together diverse art historical influences and epochs of artistic creation.

Linear Image: The New Vitruvius achieved £200,000 (fees included) at Christie's in June 2018, standing as his fourth highest-selling masterpiece.

Children Playing on the Banks of the River (1946-1967) stands out as a remarkable find in the art market, celebrated for its unique aesthetic and varied stylistic influences. The painting embraces an Impressionist narrative, capturing the fleeting essence of the landscape with expressive, loosely applied brushstrokes. Yet, it's the bold black elements—the pram, distant hats, and indistinct figures—that disrupt the illusion of depth, emphasising the painting's two-dimensional nature and enhancing its mysterious allure.

Focusing on colour as an arrangement of abstract shapes, this artwork showcases Victor Pasmore's unwavering dedication to abstraction. Acquired directly from Pasmore by a discerning collector, the piece fetched £175,000 (fees included) at Sotheby’s in June 2017, boasting an esteemed provenance.

A commissioned artwork, Magdalene Bridge (1947), combines Impressionist influences with Pointillist techniques, evident in the portrayal of the en-plen-air narrative and detailed foliage of the trees. However, what elevates this work is Victor Pasmore's emphasis on abstraction, showcased through a harmonious colour palette and the integration of geometric forms through the houses and reflection of the river to establish depth and spatiality. This distinct amalgamation of styles is reflected in the selling price of £170,500 (fees included) at Sotheby's in November 2014.

An innovative creation from the 1960s, Abstract in White, Black, Maroon and Cedar reflects Victor Pasmore's daring and inventive spirit. Pasmore ventured into unexplored realms by incorporating tangible three-dimensionality, extending objects beyond the canvas. This introduced sculptural elements, showcasing his enduring passion for architecture and signifying a shift from his previous figurative pieces.

Recently, this work fetched an impressive £150,000 (fees included) at Christie's in October 2021.

Linear Composition In Black And White (1960) serves as a further testament to Victor Pasmore's matured artistic style, wherein he deconstructs geometric shapes to emphasise the artistic materiality and physical characteristics of the artwork. This technique holds particular significance for Pasmore, as he believed it transcended the conventional perception of an artwork merely as a picture, blurring the creative and constructivist boundaries between painting, sculpture, and architecture. This artwork achieved a sale price of £146,500 (fees included) at Sotheby's in November 2014.

A renowned artwork from Victor Pasmore's early years at the Euston Road School, this piece captures the scenic view from his Hammersmith terrace. It portrays the dynamic interplay between the foliage and marsh, transformed by the shifting colours of the sky. Pasmore's ingenuity is evident as he merges his abstract sensibilities with masterful handling of chromatic gradations, seamlessly transitioning into impressionistic linear strokes that create the trees. This period marked a crucial phase in his artistic development.

View of a Garden, Chiswick (circa 1944) achieved an impressive sale price of £131,000 (fees included) at Christie's in June 2017, surpassing the high estimate of £50,000.

Victor Pasmore drew inspiration from the picturesque Thames River view visible from his residence in Hammersmith during the 1940s. The Gardens of Hammersmith, No. 2 (1948) belongs to a series of four paintings widely regarded as a gradual exploration into abstraction for Pasmore. These artworks exhibit a fusion of pointillism and linear interpretations of the impressionist en plein air aesthetics, characterised by a restrained colour palette.

This artwork ranks among Pasmore's top ten works, exemplifying its significance within his oeuvre, achieving a sale price of £120,000 (hammer) at Christie's in 1995.