John Mitchell - The Personal Collection & Studio Sale
Date: 13th August 2026, Lots 1-380, 10 am start
Date: 14th August 2026, Lots 381-747, 10 am start
'Mitchell's work exists on the edge of language' - David Ross, London, 2011
John Mitchell was a highly respected artist, sculptor and tutor, with much of his work abstract and based on proportional systems, with geometrics and the Fibonacci series being consistent motifs found within his work. Cornish-based yet with an international following, he honed his craft in his idyllic home and studio with views over Newlyn Harbour.
During the 1960's, Mitchell began to use the Fibonacci sequence to influence his work with bulk colours, often dried pigments, filling precisely measured voids with such vibrancies as cobalt blue, red ochre, indigo and burnt sienna. A passage from Samuel Beckett's Molloy, 'I had four ways of wearing my shirt...' added inspiration, encouraging Mitchell to play with similar motifs whilst developing as many variations as possible, which is evident within his 'Frustum and Fillers' series, with multiple variations of paintings and sculpture in both wood and bronze.
This sale showcases a lifetime of Mitchell’s work. It unites the worlds of mathematics and art, exploring a language without words. Lay’s are proud to bring this artist's work back into the public realm for fresh eyes to enjoy once more.
Join us for the private view on the 6th of August, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Collection appointments available to book from Monday 24th to Friday 28th August 2026
Please note: This auction (including viewing & collections) takes place at our Penzance saleroom.
Viewing times
Private view: 6th August, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Saturday 8th August, 9am to 1pm, and Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th, and Wednesday 12th August 2026, 9am to 5pm.
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Lot 1a - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Juxtaposed and Inverted Shape (Ceruleum/Cobalt Blue)
Lot 2a - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Asymmetrical and Inverted Frustrum VIII & X
Lot 7 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Flowers in a Vase on a Windowsill (c.1960's)
Lot 8a - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Projected Piers with Painted Panel
Lot 12 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Two Juxtaposed Shapes, i-iii - White Vermilion (2007)
Lot 15 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Projected Piers Series (Large Version) c.1986 - Two Works
Lot 16 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Bronze Juxtaposed and Inverted Shape
Lot 19 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Wall-Mounted Two Cut Edges Back to Back - Two Works
Lot 23 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Bronze Block Diptych with Conic Voids (2003/2004)
Lot 24 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Bronze and Aluminium Juxtaposed and Inverted Shape
Lot 28 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) 'House-Like' Shape, Indigo & Indian Red - Nine Variations
Lot 31 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Four Cut and Four Incised Tondos
Lot 34 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Bronze Blocks with Conic Voids
Lot 36 - John MITCHELL (1943-2014) Short Pier/Large Series I - Four Works (1979)
