A new world record price for a painting by Jewish artist Mark Gertler was set when his work The Violinist sold for £542,000.

The painting was auctioned by Christie’s at a sale in London. The previous record for the artist was £74,500 set in 2014.

The buyer is understood to be a British private collector.

Another Gertler work, Study for The Violinist, sold for £62,500, a new record price for a work on paper by the artist.

The works were among a group of 10 auctioned from the important collection of artworks amassed by Jewish philanthropist Edgar Astaire. In total they realised just under £1.8 million.

The lots were part of sale of modern British and Irish art on Thursday which made almost £19 million, with one painting by Frank Auerbach fetching £602,500.