LENKIEWICZ WORK RESURFACES AFTER 50 YEARS

Every so often a painting arrives at the auction rooms with a story that becomes more interesting the deeper you look.

This remarkable triptych by Plymouth artist Robert Lenkiewicz has not appeared on the market for more than 50 years. Entitled Wait and See, the large three-panel work was painted for Lenkiewicz's 1975 Love & Romance project, Section Four of his celebrated Relationship Series.

Our research has now uncovered a wonderful piece of its history. Wait and See was exhibited at the Reynolds Gallery on Plymouth's Barbican from 16–31 October 1975, where it was listed as number 41 in the exhibition and priced at £140. Even more remarkably, an original photograph of the exhibition survives and clearly shows the triptych hanging on the gallery wall.

Measuring just over two metres across when fully opened, the work depicts members of the artist's family within his studio at 25 The Parade on the Barbican. The three painted boards remain within their original hinged pine frame, giving the work an extraordinary physical presence.

It was acquired directly from Lenkiewicz by the present owner's family during the 1970s and has remained with them ever since.

More than half a century after its Reynolds Gallery exhibition, Wait and See now returns to the public eye in Plymouth.

It will be offered in our Art Auction on Wednesday 14 October at 6pm, with an estimate of £1,000–£2,000.

Main image:
Robert Lenkiewicz (1941–2002), Wait and See, 1975, a large three-panel oil depicting members of the artist’s family in his studio at 25 The Parade, Plymouth.

 Historic image:
Wait and See pictured on display at the Reynolds Gallery, Plymouth, during Lenkiewicz’s Love & Romance exhibition in October 1975.

 Detail images:
Details from Robert Lenkiewicz’s Wait and See, showing members of the artist’s family.