An outstanding selection of works inspired by popular culture, and dating from the 1960s onwards will go on sale in the Pop and Op Art auction to be held at 2pm on Wednesday 10th March in New Bond Street.

The sale features works by Richard Hamilton, a key figure in English Pop Art and co-founder of the Independent Group at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London – an organisation which was key to the movement’s development. From the 1960s Hamilton was represented by Robert Fraser and produced a series of prints entitled ‘Swingeing London’ based on Fraser’s arrest, along with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, for possession of drugs. The sale includes ‘The Release’ from this series (1972), with an estimate of £10,000–15,000. After their arrest, William Rees-Mogg asked the infamous question “Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?” in an editorial piece in the Times which was critical of the prison sentences awarded to the musicians, and is thought to have contributed to the success of Jagger’s and Richard’s appeal.

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