Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
UK government blocks export of remarkable 17th century panels
09 January 2025An export bar has been placed on a set of highly decorated 17th century panels that sold at Sotheby’s last year for £1.62m.
Laura Knight portrait of ‘favoured model’ tops estimate in Chichester
07 January 2025Among the Modern British pictures generating bidding at the end of last year was a portrait by Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) that was lifted to an above-estimate sum thanks to a combination of commercial factors.
Dod Procter 1920s works figure strongly in saleroom bidding battles
06 January 2025Over the last decade, portraits from the 1920s by Dod Procter (1891-1972) have become increasingly valuable.
Dealer duo the Hobarts set Irish eyes smiling
06 January 2025Two sales in London offered personal collection of the Hobarts including artists they had championed
Surrey auction house to sell single-owner collection from luxury holiday cottage
23 December 2024Parker Fine Art Auctions in Farnham is selling the collection of the late Melinda (‘Mindy’) McLean, a businesswoman who was a keen patron of the arts and a supporter of young artists.
Martin Wilson to succeed Ed Dolman as chief executive at Phillips
20 December 2024Executive chairman of Phillips Ed Dolman is standing down in 2025 and will be succeeded by Martin Wilson.
One to watch: Christie’s to offer Barry Humphries collection in 2025
19 December 2024One of the lesser known facts about the comedian, entertainer and TV personality Barry Humphries was his erudite art collecting.
Portrait shows mystery black bandsman who went into battle at Waterloo
16 December 2024An intriguing portrait of a black man in the uniform of a military bandsman and wearing a Waterloo medal drew strong competition after emerging at an auction in East Sussex.
Hechle takes to the hills and Glasgow auction sets a mountain high
16 December 2024A group of seven mountainous landscapes by Hilda Marion Hechle (1886-1939) were the subject of a good deal of interest at a recent sale at Great Western Auctions (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow.
Art market: Those were the London Dayes
16 December 2024Pair of scarce oils by an artist more familiar as a watercolourist emerge at auction in Essex
Lavery's Irish Treaty sketch sells to Dublin gallery at Bellmans
10 December 2024A signed study for a major work by Sir John Lavery (1856-1941) drew significant competition when it appeared at West Sussex auction house Bellmans (25% buyer’s premium).
Hepworth’s sculptural exploration of colour and strings barred from export
09 December 2024A unique sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-75) has been blocked from export following its sale at Christie’s in London earlier this year.
‘Wantage Botticelli’ sparks fervent bidding to lead Old Master series in London
09 December 2024The latest series of Old Master auctions in London looked a little thin with the evening sales comprising less than 30 lots, but the series was not without its highpoints.
Could it be artist Mary Beale by her own hand?
09 December 2024A bust-length study, thought to be a self-portrait by Mary Beale (1633-99) from the early 1660s, sold above estimate at a recent sale at Parker Fine Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).
It’s the turn of Grimshaw Junior to step into the moonlight
09 December 2024Son of the famous John Atkinson Grimshaw under focus with two of his own works in the same style
Botticelli Virgin and Child bid to £8.6m at Sotheby’s
05 December 2024A painting known as ‘the Wantage Botticelli’ which emerged from a British aristocratic collection after 120 years drew a strong bidding battle at Sotheby’s latest Old Master evening sale in London.
Van Dyck horse portrait tops Christie’s Old Master sale
04 December 2024An Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) equine painting led Christie’s latest evening sale of Old Masters in London.
Dod Procter portraits at the double indicate growing demand
04 December 2024Over the last decade, portraits from the 1920s by Dod Procter (1891-1972) have become increasingly valuable.
Barbara Hepworth sculpture from ‘pivotal moment’ in her career blocked from export
03 December 2024A unique sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) has been blocked from export following its sale at Christie’s in London earlier this year.
Art collection saved from the flames (twice) comes to auction
02 December 2024More pieces appear from a collection that survived a couple of devastating blazes at the family home