Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Journeys of discovery: Highlights from the stands of 11 dealers at TEFAF 2019
04 March 2019An intriguing find by a dealer new to TEFAF Maastricht leads a look at some of the highlights on offer at the huge event.
How the art and antiques trade is preparing for Brexit
04 March 2019As we approach a crunch vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, a no-deal result is still a possibility – so too the prospect of an extension to the Article 50 process beyond the March 29 deadline. As the selection of comments and advice from across the trade suggests, the art and antiques sector, like businesses up and down the country, is preparing for every eventuality.
Top stories this week – including news of Sotheby’s and Phillips raising their buyer’s premiums
03 March 2019The most popular stories on this website over the last week included news of Sotheby’s and Phillips raising their buyer’s premiums with the new rates higher than rivals Christie’s.
The ‘Toulouse Caravaggio’ – painting found in French attic valued at £100m to be offered without reserve at auction
28 February 2019A marketing drive has begun for the sale of a painting touted as the ‘Toulouse Caravaggio (1571-1610)’. The picture was unveiled in London today ahead of its auction in France in June.
Pointillist painting of Saint Tropez by Paul Signac sets artist’s record at Christie’s auction
27 February 2019A quintessential pointillist painting of the sun setting over the port of Saint Tropez made an auction record for Paul Signac (1863-1935) at Christie’s latest Impressionist & Modern art auction in London.
Claude Monet view of the Doge’s Palace in Venice sells for £24m at Sotheby’s
26 February 2019A painting of the Doge’s Palace in Venice made by Claude Monet (1840-1926) during his one and only trip to Venice was knocked down at £24m at Sotheby’s latest Impressionist & Modern art auction in London.
Sotheby’s and Phillips raise buyer’s premium with new rates higher than Christie’s
26 February 2019Auction house Sotheby’s has increased its buyer’s premium to a level that goes beyond the recent changes announced by Christie’s.
Trio of high-value Old Master paintings enter museums
25 February 2019Three major Old Master acquisitions by museums have been announced over the last fortnight. They include two works that headlined London’s latest auction series in this category.
Top stories this week – including news of a dealer defending a High Court claim over the sale of two Old Masters
22 February 2019The most popular stories on this website over the last week included news of London gallery Richard Green defending a claim made in the High Court relating to the disclosure of ‘provenance information’.
Hungarian government helps Budapest museum purchase £5m Anthony van Dyck portrait of English princess at Christie’s auction
21 February 2019The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest has announced that it bought the Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) portrait of Princess Mary, daughter of Charles I, that sold for £5m at Christie’s in December.
Salvator Mundi: Louvre museum asks owner to loan world’s most expensive painting for Paris exhibition
20 February 2019The Louvre museum in Paris has requested the loan of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Salvator Mundi’ for its major exhibition dedicated to the artist opening in October.
Louvre Abu Dhabi revealed as buyer of £8.2m Rembrandt portrait at Sotheby’s
18 February 2019The Louvre Abu Dhabi has been revealed as the buyer of the small Rembrandt oil painting that led Sotheby’s Old Master evening sale in London at the end of last year after it went on view at the museum in the United Arab Emirates.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including a Versace tiara sketch, a Tompion clock and a Maori carving
18 February 2019With estimates from £800-50,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.
Christie’s voluntarily returns group of eight looted antiquities to Italy
15 February 2019A group of eight antiquities that was consigned to Christie’s has been returned to Italy after the works were identified as not having the necessary export and provenance details to be sold.
Top stories this week – including news of changes to eBay’s new postal tracking policy
15 February 2019The most popular stories on this website over the last week included news of a change to eBay’s postal tracking policy and a dealer offering a £10m Victorian painting.
Richard Green gallery to defend High Court claim over €5m paintings sale
14 February 2019London gallery Richard Green has said it will defend a claim made in the High Court by a client who purchased two Old Masters for €5m at TEFAF Maastricht last year.
Rare manuscripts stolen from London auction house recovered in Italy
11 February 2019A group of illuminated manuscripts valued at £100,000 that were stolen from a London auction house in 2016 have been recovered in Italy.
French trade bodies call on President Macron to stop UK art market gaining an advantage from Brexit
08 February 2019Members of the trade federation Conseil National du Marché de l’Art (CNMA) have published an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron and the French government calling for changes to stop France’s art market losing out to the UK after Brexit.
Ebay’s new tracking policy could lead to higher postage fees
08 February 2019EBay has announced a change to its postal tracking policy as a caution against buyers who fraudulently claim they never received items that were sent.
Top stories this week – including news of a Chinese vase bringing spectacular bidding and Christie’s increasing its buyer’s fees
08 February 2019The most popular stories on this website over the last week included news of a Chinese blue and white vase with Ming style decoration making over 10 times estimate, as well as Christie’s decision to raise its buyer’s premium.