Two charming flower paintings, perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts will be among the highlights of Bonhams Impressionist & Modern Art sale on Tuesday 5th February at New Bond Street, London. Lasting longer than a bunch of fresh flowers, Marc Chagall’s ‘Petit bouquet’ (estimated £8,000 – 12,000) and Reuven Rubin’s ‘Delphinium’ (estimated £40,000 – 60,000) make ideal presents for loved-ones.

Flowers have long been a symbol of beauty, romance and innocence as well as a reminder of the fragility of life. They were a constant motif throughout Chagall’s oeuvre and held great meaning for the artist. The slender outlines and splashes of colour in ‘Petit bouquet’ epitomise Chagall’s distinctive style of painting. The delicately outlined flowers seem to burst from the painting with vivid explosions of colour to envelop the embracing lovers at the side of the composition.

William O’Reilly, Director of the Impressionist and Modern Art Department said, “Chagall’s ‘Petit bouquet’ has never before been seen on the market, as the painting was a personal gift from the artist to his friend Tériade, an important art patron and publisher at the time. It was then passed down through family and friends over the years as a mark of the love and respect they felt for one another. It would be very fitting for the painting to be bought as a Valentine’s gift for a loved-one.”

Reuven Rubin’s ‘Delphinium’ is another striking painting of flowers in the sale. The bold blue delphiniums are offset by the fresh green background making an arresting image, which at once shows the delicacy and vibrancy of the flowers.

For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com.