Latest News Articles by Frances Allitt
Books unite the trade
20 July 2020This portolan atlas known as the Harisse Codex is attributed to cartographer Battista Agnese, who worked in Venice.
A voyage of discovery as Robert Young releases extra catalogue this year
20 July 2020This primitive English sailor-work ship picture, c.1870, depicting a cutter in full sail on a calm sea was made with coloured wools embroidered on canvas.
Abbott & Holder promote Duncan Grant for the 21st century
20 July 2020Abbott & Holder recently sold a bronze head of Duncan Grant (1885-1975) by Stephen Tomlin (1901-37) to the Charleston Trust, owners of the East Sussex home where Grant once lived and worked with other members of the Bloomsbury Group.
John Hampden Society buys lock of hair believed to belong to the famous parliamentarian
13 July 2020English Civil War group The John Hampden Society has bought a lock of hair thought to be from the head of its eponymous patron.
Party chock a block with artwork
13 July 2020'Concetto spaziale' (1960) by Lucio Fontana is one of the works on offer at The Arts Club exhibition Block Party.
10 mins creating, 70 years looking - take your time at exhibition of Scottish artist
13 July 2020When once asked how long he had spent painting a certain picture, Scottish artist William Johnstone (1897-1981) is said to have replied: “Only 10 minutes, I suppose, but it’s taken 70 years of looking.”
The web shop window: Gilbert Scott signed drawing
13 July 2020Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.
Fashionable furniture among highlights of virtual edition of Masterpiece
13 July 2020A George IV rosewood table with an Italian specimen marble top, c.1820, was among the highlight sales at Masterpiece’s recent virtual edition, selling with an asking price of £75,000 to a private collector.
PAD and Coinex fairs are latest to call off autumn events
10 July 2020Two more stagings of London fairs have been cancelled due to Covid-19.
Frankenstein vs The Invisible Man: two classic horror film posters go under the hammer at Heritage
07 July 2020Turning a tidy profit for Universal Studios and spawning multiple sequels and spinoffs, the 1931 Frankenstein is enduringly popular.
Birmingham’s brave new world
06 July 2020Triannual 'Art & Antiques for Everyone' fair follows the online model for now ahead of scheduled November live event
The web shop window: 18th century oil painting of Parliament
06 July 2020Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.
5 Questions: bookseller John Martin of Mayfly Ephemera
06 July 2020Dealer John Martin runs Mayfly Ephemera. Available via ebay and on the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA) website.
Celebrate a ruby anniversary
06 July 2020'Still Life with Red Chrysanthemums' is among the works featured at The Fosse Gallery in Stow on the Wold as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. It was painted by Bristol artist Karen Edwards, a regular exhibitor at the now historic gallery.
Roman altar stands out among highlights of revamped art week
06 July 2020More than 400 online enquiries came through the 'London Art Week' (LAW) website during its preview day last Thursday as it kicked off a new virtual format.
Painter-etcher Blaker showcased by Harvey-Lee
06 July 2020A new catalogue on painter-etcher Michael Blaker (1929-2018) includes a picture he executed of one of his friends as well as an etching by her.
The show goes on: London Art Week galleries open doors for a modified event
02 July 2020An impressive Roman funerary altar is among the highlights at London Art Week (LAW), which promises to have much life starting with a preview day on July 2 and opening to the public on July 3.
From obscurity to TEFAF to the Mauritshuis: portrait reclaims its rightful place in marital diptych
02 July 2020Portraits of a husband and wife have been reunited after nearly 125 years thanks to a new acquisition by the Mauritshuis in The Hague.
Pallant House acquires 1960s painting of first gay kiss in British theatre
30 June 2020Pallant House Gallery in Chichester has acquired a series of five paintings depicting the first gay kiss and drag ball in British theatre.
Mayfair Italian art specialist reopens with help from ‘the fictional collector’
29 June 2020A 1913 still life painted by Italian modernist Alberto Magnelli (1888- 1971) early in his career and a magazine holder of stitched leather and brass, c.1955, by French designer Jacques Adnet (1900-84) are among the works offered at M&L Fine Art’s post-lockdown show 'Close Quarters'.