A huge collection of the art of Charles Bronson - the man who has been described as the most violent and dangerous individual in the British Prison system - goes under the hammer next week.

Extending to 500 drawings and sketches, the collection is thought to be the most comprehensive group of Bronson’s prison works ever to appear at auction.

First jailed in 1974 at the age of 22 when he was given seven years for an armed robbery, Bronson went on to stage a series of attacks and hostage taking situations involving other inmates, guards and prison officials that ultimately resulted in a life sentence, much of which has been spent in solitary confinement.

Two of the most shocking incidents occurred at Hull Prison. In 1994 he held the deputy governor of the prison hostage for five hours and in 1999 he took a visiting art teacher hostage from Bridlington after the man criticised one of his drawings.

Charles Bronson has been imprisoned for over 50 years, with the vast majority of that time spent in solitary confinement.

placeholder image — Charles Bronson has been imprisoned for over 50 years, with the vast majority of that time spent in solitary confinement.

The 44-hour standoff that ensued was the offence for which he was given the life sentence.

Coralie Thomson of auctioneers Duggleby Stephenson said: “Bronson began to develop an interest in sketching and drawing almost ten years into his incarceration, an interest that developed into a passion that has lasted for more than forty years.”

The massive collection going under the hammer on Wednesday - over 500 drawings, sketches, ink compositions and works on paper - began when the vendor picked up a single Bronson picture twenty years ago.

She said: "They not only became an avid collector but also began corresponding with Bronson, establishing a relationship that has enabled them to discuss art and Bronson’s ideas.

Charles Bronson has spent the best part of 50 years in prison

“Critical opinion of Bronson’s art could scarcely be wider - everything from a raw genius inviting us to explore the complexities of the human condition through to simplistic cartoons.

However one of the most fascinating aspects of the preparation of this unique auction has been that, through the collector, the auctioneers have been able to pose questions to Bronson, now held in a specialist close supervision centre at Woodhill Prison in Buckinghamshire, about his art.

He revealed that pursuing his interest has been difficult with jails at times refusing him materials - pens, crayons, card - and denying him posting his drawings and sketches out to family and friends. He said he is still very limited in what materials he can and can’t have and actually dreams of creating oils on canvas.

"When we asked if he views much of his work as satire or humour, he replied: ‘I don’t do humour art. I’m an artist not a clown. My art is brutal, it bleeds, it screams. It’s basically saying free me - let me die a free man.

First jailed in 1974 for armed robbery, the 73-year-old has had his sentence extended multiple times due to violent acts against staff and prisoners

He expressed his pride that his work sells - although he is not permitted to benefit personally from the sale of his drawings and sketches - and he revealed that he is particularly pleased that his art raises thousands of pounds for charitable causes.

Coralie added: “The decision has been taken to keep this unique collection together and so all 500 drawings and sketches the auction - Charles Bronson; Expression in Confinement – are being sold as a single lot.

“The pre-sale estimate is £100,000 - £200,000.”

The catalogue and details are available at www.davidduggleby.com. Viewing is taking place at the Duggleby Stephenson Saleroom in the York Auction Centre at Mirton. The sale is a fully automated online auction at 2 o’ clock on Wednesday (11th March).