Syd Barrett's Still Life Painting to go on Sale

Orange Dahlias in a Vase, a still life by Syd Barrett, is due to be sold at auction next week. The late Pink Floyd founder and frontman had a passion for painting and his talent was recognised from a young age when he trained at the Royal College of Art. The painting was created when Barrett was just 15 years old and reveals a contrasting side to one of the biggest icons in rock music.

The painting will be auctioned at Cheffins, based in Cambridge where Barrett grew up and later returned after a monumental career in music.

'Syd Barrett remains one of the icons of the world of rock music. While he is known as the founder of Pink Floyd, he was also an accomplished artist. There are few original pictures in existence, especially as he later took to finishing a painting, photographing it and then burning the canvas.' - Brett Tryner, Cheffins director

After a musical career that lasted a decade, Barrett returned to a life of painting, but friend and photographer Mick Rock was there to capture what would become some of the most famous photographs of Barrett in his brief time as a solo musician. Psychedelic Renegades covers the period 1969-'71, and includes the iconic photo sessions that culminated in the cover for Syd Barrett's first solo album, The Madcap Laughs. Mick Rock shared a personal friendship with Barrett which began when they met at Cambridge University in the mid-1960s, and flourished when they both lived in London.