Rubery Bennett's works have not appreciated in value in the years after his death. There have been fakes declared in recent auction sales, no doubt as his works are not as well-known as those of his popular contemporaries.
CHECK his pink and purple paintings of serene river landscapes were keenly sought in the 1980s, often nudging six-figures. But his prices have since fallen dramatically making his paintings less profitable to forge. Refunds, however, were paid on two dubious paintings by Bennett sold at Lawson-Menzies on 20 November 2001, while Noon Day Campsite sold at Goodmans on 19 November as by Bennett was declared a fake by artist Colin Parker (son of the owner of Parker’s Gallery, The Rocks, where Bennett had shown his work), Edward Craig and Vi Bennett, the artist’s widow. Both carried labels from Artlovers Gallery, Artarmon (Artarmon Gallery), now run by Philip Breckenreg who said his father, John, sold only about 20 works by Bennett, usually resales. Bennett, who was also an art dealer, sold most of his paintings himself. Macquarie Galleries labels have also appeared on suspect works.
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