Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Curtis botanical works blossom at auction
06 February 2023A group of watercolours from the collection of the renowned botanist, entomologist William Curtis (1746-99), drew attention in a Surrey sale.
How pictures ‘attributed to’ or ‘after’ an artist can still attract plenty of interest
06 February 2023The market for ‘after’ or ‘attributed to’ works is often rather unpredictable. While some works will inevitably fall flat at auction, others sometimes take off.
Later Tate director also made a good impression as an artist early on
06 February 2023If this painting of a farmhouse in Brittany seems reminiscent of a piece of French Impressionism, that’s probably no coincidence.
‘What a score’: Gareth Edwards ‘greatest ever try’ Barbarians jersey to be offered at auction
31 January 2023Welsh auction house Rogers Jones has been instructed to sell the rugby jersey collection of Sir Gareth Edwards.
Rubens heads New York’s Old Master series
30 January 2023A painting by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) from the collection of the divorcing couple Mark Fisch and Rachel Davidson led the latest series of Old Master sales in New York.
Artist Wyatt captures Byron's wild corsair
30 January 2023Portrait of Lord Byron subject offered at Dreweatts auction demonstrates considerable skill of a British artist
High society portraits generate enduring appeal
30 January 2023Society portraits from the early part of the 20th century retain a good following at auction
Soulages print goes to French buyer
30 January 2023Bringing international interest to a Dorset auction, a limited edition Pierre Soulages (b.1919) print generated a strong bidding contest
Olympia Auctions expands its team
23 January 2023Three former Chiswick Auctions’ picture specialists have joined west London saleroom Olympia Auctions.
Mr Brainwash convinces the bidders
23 January 2023Works by Mr Brainwash (b.1966) are becoming an increasingly common sight at auction.
Leading figure Warhol stays lucrative for consignors
23 January 2023A group of eight Andy Warhol (1928-87) prints came to auction at Van Ham (32% buyer’s premium including VAT) in Cologne at the end of last year, including a few of his most famous subjects from documented editions of the 1960-80s.
Allen Jones: work to Sir Terence Conran’s taste
23 January 2023Allen Jones (b.1937) is regarded as one of the pioneers of early British pop art.
Pop art: Pioneer Sir Peter Blake's accessible print editions
23 January 2023The term ‘pop art’ normally conjures up images of colourful and ‘hip’ artworks from the 1950s-60s.
Pair of Veronica Burleigh portraits soar over estimates to take highest ever prices
16 January 2023Bringing fervent bidding at Kings Russell’s (28% buyer’s premium) first sale of the year, two portraits by Veronica Burleigh (1909-99) set the highest prices ever recorded for the Sussex painter.
Blend of science and witchcraft still casts a spell
16 January 2023One of the most interesting pictures sold at the latest series of Old Master sales in London was an interior scene by David Teniers the Younger (1610-90).
Valuable consignment delivered on foot
16 January 2023One of the most local consignments provided arguably the most notable lot at a Busby (21% buyer’s premium) sale in Bridport, Dorset, on November 17.
Sleepers woken up via the internet
16 January 2023Demonstrating how the internet has transformed the market for potential sleepers, three portraits that drew strong interest recently at different auctions in the UK and Europe all sold to online buyers.
The Salvator Mundi effect: a market transformation
16 January 2023Ever since the record-breaking $400m sale of Salvator Mundi at Christie’s back in 2017, the market seems to have become fascinated with other treatments of the subject.
Old Masters: Still lifes take centre stage at sale of purchasing pioneer's collection
16 January 2023Juan Manuel Grasset became part of a new generation who bought directly at auction from the 1960s
Sitter appeal: Portraits from Victorian sportsman to 20th century businessman bring demand
02 January 2023The record-setting piece of Beswick pottery at a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) – a rare variant of a shire horse model that fetched £11,300 (ATG No 2569) – was not the only lot bringing notable demand.