A John Bellany painting marking Scotland’s Year of Homecoming, which featured on the First Minister’s 2008 Christmas card, was sold for £12,400 at our Scottish Modern & Contemporary Art sale on the 19th of August.

The painting is entitled 'Macduff Harbour – The Homecoming' and was donated by the renowned Scottish artist especially for this year's Homecoming. The proceeds of its sale will be split between four charities: Aberdeen Cyrenians, Islamic Relief, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.



John Bellany said “The Homecoming is a sacred moment.  After a voyage, whether long or short, families will be joined by the bread winner again or there can simply be the wonder of selling the catch of fish which they have managed to make in one of the seas and oceans of the world. The pain of waiting for their return is so deep and elemental and has continued to be thus throughout centuries of toil.”

First Minister Alex Salmond said "I'm very grateful to John Bellany for providing a wonderful work to mark Scotland's Year of Homecoming and raise funds to help four very worthy causes. The painting has been on display at Duff House and the Dean Gallery this year before being offered for sale to assist the chosen charities."



Nick Curnow, Managing Director and Head of Pictures at Lyon & Turnbull, said "This is a very fine painting, so typical of Bellany's work; full of colour and light. We were delighted to be asked to sell it on behalf of the First Minster as the first lot in our Paintings sale."

The painting was sold to Aberdeen-based architect John Halliday, who said "I was delighted to buy this painting. I am a great admirer of John Bellany's work and have several of his paintings already."

After the sale, Alex Salmond said "I'm pleased that this wonderful painting has achieved a sum in excess of its initial guide price and I congratulate John Halliday on his winning bid. I am also very grateful to John Bellany for donating the painting and to Lyon & Turnbull for offering their services for free and including it in their Scottish Picture sale."

For more information please contact Nick Curnow: 0131 557 8844

nick.curnow@lyonandturnbull.com