Lot 01 · Live Auction

This river is for sale.

Andrew Gifford painted the Dordogne River especially for THE NAT GALA. Tonight's natural carpet backdrop is cropped from this original canvas — now live for bidding, in support of tonight's beneficiaries — Conservation International, Blue Marine Foundation and Open Planet.

The Dordogne River at Limeuil 2, Andrew Gifford's original painting shown in full, in its walnut frame
The original

The full painting, live for bidding

Andrew Gifford, “The Dordogne River at Limeuil 2” · 120 × 120 cm · Walnut frame

Close-up of the oil paint texture and brushwork on Andrew Gifford's painting Andrew Gifford in his studio, seated beside the finished painting
The artist

Andrew Gifford

Art can change how we see nature, and inspire the determination to protect it. That is the conviction of Andrew Gifford, one of Britain's most original landscape painters.

In recent years, Gifford's attention has turned increasingly toward the natural world, and the power of art to change how we perceive landscape — not simply as a view, but as a living habitat. His large-scale paintings immerse the viewer in the tangled, competing life of wild places, revealing their complexity, resilience and beauty.

For THE NAT GALA, Gifford painted along the Dordogne River in France — a scene for guests to be photographed alongside tonight, celebrating rivers as living forces that sustain, connect and continually reshape the natural world.

“Not simply a view, but a living habitat.”
Andrew Gifford, on his approach to landscape painting
Why it matters

A significant painting by an established, highly collected artist.

Andrew Gifford is recognised for his innovative paintings and light installations that engage critically with landscape as a site of perception, memory, and political charge. Working between observation and abstraction, Gifford’s practice explores how light, colour, and spatial experience can register the complexities of place, from urban and geopolitical environments to ecologically significant yet overlooked terrains. He has exhibited internationally, including solo public exhibitions at Leeds City Art Gallery, Fruitmarket Gallery Edinburgh, and Middlesbrough Art Gallery and with the Al Ma'mal Foundation in Jerusalem (with the British Council). His work is held in public and private collections in Europe, the USA, and Asia.

Andrew Gifford is exhibited by John Martin Gallery. For more information please see: jmlondon.com

Where the money goes

Every bid funds THE NAT's mission.

THE NAT exists to close the nature finance gap — mobilizing capital into regenerative, nature-positive systems. All proceeds from tonight's sale of this painting go directly to THE NAT's beneficiaries via THE NAT Fund Inc.

You're not just acquiring a significant painting — you're funding the restoration of the rivers it depicts.

THE NAT is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States. All donations are made through THE NAT Fund Inc.

Register your bid

Bidding is open now — through Climate Week.

Leave your details below and a member of THE NAT team will confirm your bid and follow up with you directly once the lot closes.

01

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Highest bid winsThe winning bidder is announced before the week ends, and proceeds go directly to THE NAT Fund Inc.

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Current bid is $25,000