Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Rembrandt’s lion drawing takes $15m bid at Sotheby’s
04 February 2026A Rembrandt (1606-69) sketch of a lion set the highest price for a drawing at auction by the artist when it sold for $15m (£10.9m) at Sotheby’s in New York today.
Wide range of portrait prices as Reynolds sold to ‘major national institution’
04 February 2026When it comes to the market for two of the biggest names in British portraiture, Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) and Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), the range of prices fetched by works attributed to these two greats is really quite remarkable.
Grandeur and solemnity: Painting of Nelson's funeral procession brings demand at Charles Miller sale
02 February 2026Today, when it comes to any major news story, ‘live’ or on-the spot images of an event get published pretty much immediately. But that wasn’t always the case.
Not one but two Duncan Grant studies for Sussex murals emerge
30 January 2026Preparatory works by the Bloomsbury artist were created for spectacular works at Berwick church
Scrap silver trade suspended due to ‘chaotic’ market conditions
29 January 2026The continuing surge in precious metals prices has led to a temporary cessation in the trade of scrap silver.
Royal Air Force Museum buys wartime aerial studies at Roseberys’ auction
28 January 2026The Royal Air Force Museum has purchased two preparatory drawings for major wartime paintings by Walter Thomas Monnington (1902-76).
David Bomberg’s view of St Ives makes £145,000 in Newcastle auction
27 January 2026Drawing competition between six phone bidders, a rare work depicting St Ives in Cornwall by David Bomberg (1890-1957) flew above estimate at Newcastle saleroom Anderson & Garland’s latest Modern Art & Design auction.
‘A collection that mirrors its owner’s encyclopaedic mind’
21 January 2026The collection of art and books amassed by one of Britain’s most influential critics of the post-war era, the late John Russell Taylor (1935-2025), has been consigned to west London saleroom Olympia Auctions.
Rare unpublished Hans Baldung drawing emerges in France
20 January 2026A small drawing by Hans Baldung (c.1484-1545) which has been in the same family for over 500 years will be offered at auction in March.
Meet the parents: a pair of Jan de Bray portraits catch the eye
16 January 2026Poignant paintings make highest auction sum for the artist outside London
Hunt for impressive Michael Angelo Hayes work ends in an auction record
16 January 2026A notable Irish hunting painting that emerged at Fonsie Mealy (25% buyer’s premium including VAT) at the end of last year drew “very spirited bidding” according to the Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny saleroom.
Paul Nash WWI scene doubles estimate at Suffolk auction
14 January 2026Wartime scenes by Paul Nash (1889-1946) are a seminal part of his oeuvre, especially his famous series of paintings from 1917-19 showing the blasted landscape of the Western Front.
Eager eyes on the precocious George Richmond and 'supremely talented' Leon Bonvin in west London
09 January 2026A group of works by George Richmond (1809-96) offered at auction at the end of last year showed plenty of life remains in the market for the London-born painter.
‘People are coming in with their entire stock’
06 January 2026Antiques are being scrapped in bulk as the price of silver continues to soar.
Bidders overlook condition issues as drawing flies to 50 times estimate in Gloucestershire
06 January 2026Despite suffering from water damage, wear and loss to the sheet as well as chips and cracks to the later 1950s-style frame, a head study of a bearded man brought intense competition at a recent sale at Wotton Auction Rooms.
Five top picture lots sold at auctions outside London this year
27 December 2025The top pictures sold at regional salerooms in 2025 included an Old Master, a Lavery double portrait and a John Constable sketch. Here we pick out five of the best results which were covered in ATG
Latest Old Master sales demonstrate value of market freshness and impressive ownership history
19 December 2025Market freshness and good provenance have always been key components in the Old Master sector, and the latest series of auctions in this category underlined how heavily dependent the market remains on the supply of works that have these qualities.
Antwerp artists Van Balen and Brueghel team up
19 December 2025Over his career, the Flemish artist Hendrick van Balen (1573-1632) collaborated with a number of other artists, not least Rubens. Another was Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568-1625).
Leonard Squirrell’s views of Framlingham bring exceptional prices for Suffolk artist
18 December 2025Location, location, location. Just as with property, so with the pictures of Suffolk’s own Leonard Russell Squirrell (1893-1979).
Record for Léon Bonvin as flower painting flies to six times estimate at Olympia Auctions
17 December 2025Olympia Auctions set an auction record for French artist Léon Bonvin (1834-66) after a poignant flower painting, one of the final works he completed before his early death, drew international competition at its latest picture sale.