Pink Robe will be big draw at city auction

An early work by the Scottish colourist Francis Cadell is expected to fetch around £80,000 when it goes under the hammer later this month.

The Pink Robe dates from 1909, a key year for the artist when he acquired his first studio, at 137 George Street, and had a one-man show at Aitken Dott. The show included works such as White Peonies.

The city-born artist's work leads Bonhams' sale of Scottish pictures on April 21.

"This picture is classic early Cadell - with rich colour handled spontaneously, and whole areas blocked in quickly," said Chris Brickley, head of the pictures department at Bonhams.

"The lilac wall is a keynote to many of the pictures painted after he moved to Ainslie Place in Edinburgh in the 1920s and his delight in fine objects and elegant interiors is evident."