Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Survey indicates art market decline as wealthy buyers reduce spending at the top end
24 October 2024The latest survey into the global collecting market indicated a significant decline in spending on art and antiques. However this was mainly down to less activity at the very top end with a greater proportion of sales recorded at lower price levels.
Dutch museum buys early van Gogh from dealer and collector Daniel Katz
23 October 2024The Het Noordbrabants Museum in the Netherlands has acquired one of Vincent van Gogh’s (1853-1890) early portraits for €8.6m (£7.16m).
Christie’s to offer key Irish works from the Hobarts
21 October 2024The collection of London dealers Alan and Mary Hobart, who founded Pyms Gallery in the 1970s, has been consigned to Christie’s.
Edward Lear lots show pockets of strength for both oils and watercolours
21 October 2024Latest mid-level results for works by the incredibly prolific artist underline importance of sensible estimates
Vivid portraits bring eastern individuals to life
21 October 2024Watercolour portraits by the Orientalist painter Carl Haag (1820-1915) form a niche in the artist’s wider market.
An auction that ‘pulls back the curtain on Banksy like never before’
18 October 2024A group of Banksy prints, stencils, sketches, handwritten notes and personal artefacts is being auctioned by the artist’s former agent Steve Lazarides.
Record for Welsh artist Gwen John at Christie’s
18 October 2024Christie’s latest evening sale of Modern British and Irish Art got off to a flying start.
Christie’s to offer collection of well known dealers Alan and Mary Hobart
17 October 2024The collection of London dealers Alan and Mary Hobart, who founded the Pyms Gallery in the 1970s, has been consigned to Christie’s.
Art advisor Gurr Johns brings ‘Anglo-Saxon model’ to Paris market
17 October 2024Gurr Johns, the art advisor that owns UK auction house Dreweatts, has opened an office in Paris.
Hockney makes 10-fold return for vendor leading London’s Frieze week auctions
16 October 2024The glut of auctions held during the week-long period of the ‘Frieze London’ and ‘Frieze Masters’ fairs generated an overall £184m including premium, roughly in line with the total from the equivalent sales last year.
David Bomberg views of Ronda catch the eye at Sworders
15 October 2024Works by David Bomberg (1890-1957) are a valuable proposition at auction, especially those with an attractive Spanish subject.
Double portrait story patched together thanks to research
14 October 2024Following an 18-month conservation and research project at the Yale Center for British Art, an enigmatic double portrait that drew a dramatic auction contest in 2021 is going on display at its new permanent home of Compton Verney.
Munnings focus moves from the east to south west of UK
14 October 2024Views of Exmoor form a notable niche in the market for works by Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959).
Fascinating sitters help works in a family group to stand out
14 October 2024Portraits consigned from the family of two artists feature intriguing stories of those depicted
Rare 17th century portrait of black and white women goes on display at Compton Verney
10 October 2024Following an 18-month conservation and research project at the Yale Center for British Art, an enigmatic double portrait that drew a dramatic competition at auction in 2021 is going on display at its new permanent home of Compton Verney.
Canadian painter’s harvest scene valued at £300,000 on Fake or Fortune?
10 October 2024A painting acquired at a regional auction has been identified as a rediscovered work by the Canadian painter Helen McNicoll (1879–1915) and valued at £300,000 on the TV show ‘Fake or Fortune?’
Faces of the East: watercolour studies bring demand at two separate sales
09 October 2024Two studies by Orientalist artists offered with attractive estimates catch the eye of bidders at auctions in Dorset and Surrey
Gold increasingly destined for the melting pot as value hits a new high
07 October 2024The gold fix in the UK rose above £2000 for the first time last week, continuing the strong increases recorded since the summer with prices rising by 9% over the last three months alone.
Desportes chased down at £32,000 in Surrey saleroom
07 October 2024The French artist Alexandre-François Desportes (1661-1743) spent much of his early career as a portraitist, including a notable spell working at the court of King Jan Sobieski of Poland.
Bidders scale the smaller heights of the Old Master world
07 October 2024Sale that featured Constable and Drury big-hitters also included intriguing lots at lower price levels