They certainly make a chilling change from an idyllic watercolour scene.
These macabre drawings by notorious prisoner Charles Bronson detail a “madman’s vision” of life in prison and are expected to fetch thousands at auction in Slaithwaite this Sunday.
From one infamous criminal to another, the drawings were sent by Bronson to gangster Reggie Kray in 1998.
But not wanting to be associated with the violent inmate, Kray rejected them.
Since then the three drawings, along with many others, have been circulating on the market.
Auctioneer and previous Posh Pawnbrokers star Colin Hufton, who owns Colne Valley Auctions, bought the drawings for an undisclosed sum from a private seller two weeks ago.
“I’ve been wanting to get my hands on them for a while”, Colin said. “I wanted them because of who they are by and the notoriety.
“They are totally freaky and provide a glimpse inside his mind.”
The Surrealist-style drawings depict various scenes inside Bronson’s prison cell.
One of the scenes shows Bronson as a fat-bellied punk with a tattoo saying “asylum” on his arm, while one character is drawn being sick into a bowl.
Bronson, who in 2014 changed his name to Charles Salvador as a nod to Surrealist painter Salvador Dali, is a known artist and has won 11 awards from inmates’ art trust the Koestler Trust.
Colin added: “I’ve been doing lots of research into the man since I bought the drawings.
“It’s fascinating to see how being institutionalised affects your mind.
“He is truly a madman, but he draws what he is imagining.”
Colin added the drawings were expected to sell for around £800 to £1,200 each.
Antiques dealer Colin last year appeared on TV show Posh Pawnbrokers where a 1930s ladies’ Art Deco watch he bought for £900 at auction in Batley was valued at a staggering £10,000.
The watch was revealed to be genuine Cartier boasting 5.5 carat diamonds.
He has since opened his own business Colne Valley Auctions at Britannia Mill in Slaithwaite.
Bronson’s drawings are set to go to sale at the auction house this Sunday, January 31 at 1pm.
The UK’s most notorious prisoner is currently serving life at HMP Wakefield following a criminal career of violent robberies.
