Art lovers can view Belfast collection

20 January 2009 -

Art lovers will be able to buy some great piece of work to adorn their home's walls this month, when a sale occurs in Belfast.

The family of a deceased Irish man who avidly collected art through his life are selling the collection, which is thought to be worth up to 800,000 euros (£740,586).

Art fans can see Vincent Ferguson's assortment on show in Belfast later this week, with the sale occurring at Christies in London on May 8th.

Pieces included in the collection are from a variety of artists, from Rowan Gillespie and Charlie Brady to Brian Maguire.

One piece, Man and Dog, from Basil Blackshaw, has been predicted to sell for 90,000 euros.

Mr Ferguson died last year following a heart attack aged 75, leaving the 140 pieces to his family, who have now decided to sell them at auction.

Bernard Williams, international director of Irish Art at Christies, described the collection as stellar.

"The quality of the art works, individually and as a group, is a testament to the importance of buying with the heart," he adds.