Press Article: Iconic Portrait of Oasis Brothers to Hit Auction Amid Reunion Buzz
LONDON (Reuters) — As the legendary British rock band Oasis prepares for a highly anticipated reunion tour, a striking portrait of brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London. The 1996 artwork, titled "Liam + Noel (Gallagher)," was created by American artist Elizabeth Peyton and encapsulates a tender moment between the siblings at the zenith of their fame.
Set to be featured in the "Modern & Contemporary Evening Auction" on June 24, the painting is estimated to fetch between £1.5 million and £2 million ($2 million to $2.69 million). It portrays Liam resting his chin on Noel’s shoulder, captured from a famous promotional photograph taken in 1995, just before Oasis’s historic Knebworth concerts.
Antonia Gardner, head of Sotheby’s Contemporary Evening Sale, expressed the painting’s significant timing. "It’s a beautiful circular moment for the painting," she noted, emphasizing its release juxtaposed with the band’s upcoming tour. "This was made in 1996… and now it is coming back into the spotlight."
Oasis, which burst onto the music scene with their debut album "Definitely Maybe" in 1994, soared to international fame with their follow-up, "(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?" in 1995. Despite their groundbreaking success, the Gallaghers’ turbulent relationship often overshadowed their musical achievements, leading to the band’s split in 2009.
Now, with the announcement of a reunion tour kicking off on July 4 in Cardiff, fans eagerly await both the return of Oasis and the fate of the iconic portrait. The auction will also feature notable works, including pieces by Tara de Lempicka and Pablo Picasso, both estimated in the multi-million pound range.
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