Royal artwork being auctioned next week in Aylsham

As part of its Summer Fine Sale, Keys Fine Art Auctioneers in Aylsham is selling a limited edition lithograph - one of just ten - of ‘Greek Island Landscape, Fishing Boats’, a watercolour painted by the King in 1999 when he was Prince of Wales.

The picture, which is signed, has a pre-sale estimate of £3,000 to £3,500.

The King is known as an enthusiastic watercolour artist, having depicted many of his favourite places to which he has travelled, as well as the royal homes of Balmoral, Sandringham, Highgrove and Windsor Castle.

Keys head of pictures Daniel Smith with the royal artwork. (Image: Newman Associates PR)

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The picture is described by the Belgravia Gallery, which has represented royal artists for many years, as evoking "the tantalising quality of an ancient coastline seen across a stretch of blue water and the crystalline clarity of a white villa in the evening sun".

The King is continuing a long tradition of royal artists. Both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were known to be enthusiastic painters, and their eldest daughter The Princess Royal was renowned as a talented artist.

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King Charles III ‘Greek Island landscape, Fishing Boats, estimate £3,000-£3,500. (Image: Newman Associates PR)

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Daniel Smith, head of pictures at Keys, said, “These lithographs were made in extremely limited numbers and rarely come up for auction.  

"The opportunity to own a piece of artwork created by The King will be irresistible to many collectors, and we are expecting brisk bidding when the picture goes under the hammer.”

The royal artwork will be sold on Friday, July 26, the third day of Keys Summer Fine Sale, which takes place at the firm’s Aylsham salerooms and is live online.  

More details at www.keysauctions.co.uk.