Latest News Articles by Jonathan Franks
Mona Lisa 'taken as tourist souvenir'
24 March 2025One of the factors that made the Mona Lisa probably the most-visited work of art in the world was that the painting was stolen from the Louvre in 1911.
Good bit of monkey money business
24 March 2025One of several known versions of the most famous painting by Gabriel von Max (1840-1915) caused quite a stir at Plückbaum (26.5% buyer’s premium) in Bonn.
Masterful Gruber stained glass stands out
24 March 2025Windows from 1923 by a master of the craft mark the move from Art Nouveau to Art Deco
Bracket clock by Huguenot talent emerges in Hanover
17 March 2025The revocation of the Edict of Nantes by the French king Louis XIV in 1685 led to the massive exodus of Huguenots, many of whom moved to Great Britain.
Different type of expressionism: three extraordinary character heads
17 March 2025Produced by a German-Austrian sculptor in the 18th century, three intriguing marble sculptures were among the attractions of the sale at EP Deutsch (24% buyer’s premium) on January 31 in Vienna.
Sew recognisable as a Jennens & Bettridge production
17 March 2025A mid-19th century papier-mâché globe sewing table from Birmingham, part of the legacy of a South American collector, has found its way to Heidelberg, where it is being sold by Metz on March 21-22.
Bridal beaker for a double toast
17 March 2025Since the 16th century, silversmiths in Germany have produced so-called Brautbecher (bridal beakers), a tradition that still exists today.
Paperweight princess comes to Munich sale
17 March 2025A large part of the auction at Neumeister in Munich on March 19-20 is devoted to works of art from the legacy of Alexander Eugen, Duke of Württemberg who died last year at the age of 91.
Calculating machine design did not add value
17 March 2025One of the highlights of the March 22 sale at Auction Team Breker in Cologne is a pioneering mid-19th century calculating machine.
Owl drinking vessel will perhaps be a wise purchase
17 March 2025Drinking vessels in the form of an owl were as decorative as they were practical.
Scarce Singer painting emerges at auction
27 January 2025Until the 1990s, Ilona Singer (1905-44) belonged to a forgotten generation of artists whose lives were cut short by the Nazis.
Schlemmer figure hits a new high
27 January 2025A plaster figure by the Bauhaus artist Oskar Schlemmer (1888-1943) set a new auction record for one of his sculptures when it was sold by Lempertz (26/20% buyer’s premium) in Cologne.
Tinplate toys take impressive five-figure prices
27 January 2025Well-funded bidders joined the fray at the recent sale of tinplate toys held by Hohenstaufen (24.5% buyer’s premium) in Göppingen. The two top lots were very different but brought equally impressive results.
Marcks makes his mark at four salerooms just a few days apart
27 January 2025Bronze works by the accomplished 20th century sculptor prove to be sought-after purchases
Oppenheimer record set among Expressionist portrait successes
27 January 2025Fellow German artists Beckmann and Dix also starred during auctions held in Vienna and Munich
Wakey wakey with an alarm clock run on gunpowder
13 January 2025An unusual, slightly risky, but highly effective late 17th century alarm clock found a new owner at Dr Crott (25% buyer’s premium) in Mannheim.
Hodler captures the light of Lake Geneva – 18 times in total
13 January 2025Painting sold in Zurich was one of the series of views from the apartment where he spent his last months
Pissarro’s medical bills covered by picture payment plan
13 January 2025Before he devoted himself fully to Impressionism, the French painter Camille Pissarro (1830-1903) created numerous more traditional landscapes, one of which was on offer at Tiberius (27% buyer’s premium) in Vienna.
Sharp competition for Viking relic making rare appearance
13 January 2025Viking artefacts seldom appear at auction and when they do, they cause quite a stir.