Kiwi's artwork exceeds expectations at auction

Ready for the Drive sold for $26,900, well above its upper estimate of $15,000. Photo / Supplied

An auction for works by Kiwi artist Peter McIntyre landed prices well above expectations, an art dealer says.

Last night, $308,000 was forked out at a rare art auction including 10 of McIntyre's paintings, the International Art Centre in Parnell said.

That was some $58,000 above what the dealers predicted.

"Dunedin-born McIntyre was the official New Zealand war artist during World War II and painted many battle scenes featuring New Zealand soldiers," the centre said today.

"After the war he was one of the artists at the forefront of a move away from traditional New Zealand artwork and was renowned for his work featuring New Zealand landscapes and farm work."

The International Art Centre said one of the paintings, King Country Musterer, sold for $59,700.

The centre said another painting, Ready for the Drive, sold for $26,900, well above its upper estimate of $15,000.

"These were some of McIntyre's best works," said Richard Thomson, International Art Centre director.

Mr Thomson said people could easily relate to scenes in McIntyre's paintings.