Bankrupt Collector James Stunt’s Lely Portraits Flop at Auction
Three 17th-century paintings by Peter Lely, formerly owned by James Stunt, went up for auction at Christie’s New York. Two went unsold, but one sold at a modest price. Stunt, known for his lavish lifestyle, collected British portraiture, including works by Lely and Van Dyck. However, Stunt faced controversy as some of his paintings were revealed to be counterfeits. Declared bankrupt in 2019, Stunt owed millions to creditors, including Christie’s. The Lely paintings were sold by Christie’s without Stunt’s name in the provenance. The auction raised questions about Christie’s involvement in trying to recover debts owed by Stunt. The paintings included “Portrait of Sir Robert Worsley,” “Portrait of Lady Sybil Wryley,” and “Portrait of a Lady.” Only the Wryley portrait sold at the auction. Stunt faced legal troubles, including money laundering and forgery allegations, but was cleared of forgery in 2022.
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Cillian O’Rourke, studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, where he majored in Visual Communication. His work spans graphic design, illustration, and branding, with a distinct minimalist style that emphasizes simplicity and impact. Cillian has collaborated with international brands and runs his own design studio focusing on creative solutions for startups.