Latest News Articles by Jonathan Franks
Romantic painter Friedrich’s sketchbook emerges in saleroom as a rare survivor
11 December 2023Without doubt, the sensation of the German auction season was the emergence of a sketchbook belonging to the German romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich at Grisebach (32/27% buyer’s premium) in Berlin.
Multiple attractions of Boetti
06 November 2023The textile works by Alighiero Boetti are instantly recognisable with their often geometric designs and brightly coloured embroidery.
Klapheck gets on his bike
06 November 2023Konrad Klapheck, who died at the end of July aged 88, was a pioneer of German pop art and is credited with the invention of so-called Machine Paintings.
Pierre Soulages in a dark mood (again): two previews
06 November 2023The career of the French artist Pierre Soulages spanned over 80 years. He died in 2022 at the age of 102.
Japanese weapon makers turned to peaceful pursuits
09 October 2023An unusual, late 19th century figure of a hawk took top honours at Zacke’s (30% buyer’s premium) sale of Asian works of art on September 7-8.
Traditional highlights to be found in Munich art fair
09 October 2023Now in its 14th year, the art fair Highlights is way past the status of a newcomer and has become an established up-market event in the autumn calendar.
King Louis XV portrait copies became lucrative
09 October 2023The French portrait painter Jean Baptiste van Loo (1684-1745) received numerous commissions from European royal families and aristocrats.
Meissen spiced up by a Count Brühl commission
09 October 2023Heinrich von Brühl was without doubt the most prominent patron of the porcelain manufacture in Meissen.
Santi Corsi’s painting of paintings
09 October 2023Long before the days of photo-realism, artists created remarkably accurate depictions of their subject matter.
‘Ornamental genius’ Peche proves popular 100 years after his death
09 October 2023Wiener Werkstätte designer died aged just 36 but still produced an extensive range in various materials
Go into reverse gear to collect
09 October 2023For many decades, Wolfgang Steiner and his wife Gisela have devoted their collecting passion towards verre églomisé, the art of reverse-painting on glass.
Platter taken to 11 times estimate at German auction
24 July 2023The sale at Düsseldorfer Auktionshaus (25% buyer’s premium) on May 12 included this 22in (57cm) diameter Russian carved wood ‘bread and salt’ dish.
Derain design stretches to ceramics
24 July 2023Rare works on offer in Swiss saleroom were by artist most familiar for his Fauvist fine art creations
Peter, Pietro or Pieter makes his name
24 July 2023An early 17th century pen and ink drawing of Euterpe, the muse of lyrical music, caused the biggest surprise at Karl & Faber (27% buyer’s premium).
Asian buyers battle at auction for relics of their regions
24 July 2023Recent sales of Asian art achieved some memorable prices, paid not surprisingly by Asian buyers.
Romantic view of the sky – seen from behind bars in a prison
24 July 2023A canvas by the Romantic painter Carl Gustav Carus (1789-1869) went for many times the guide at Kinsky (28% buyer’s premium) in Vienna.
Albert Birkle disturbs and delights at Lempertz
17 July 2023In the 1920s, the German painter Albert Birkle (1900-86) combined 'Neue Sachlichkeit' (New Objectivity) with his version of magic realism to produce sometimes disturbing results.
Big expression of interest as overseas buyers compete at German auctions
17 July 2023International collectors invested considerable sums in the Expressionist paintings on offer at German sales over the last few weeks.
Time to consider pocket watches as a collecting option
19 June 2023Recent auction results in Germany and Switzerland give a snapshot of the market beyond wristwatches
Beckmann's depiction of friend’s family comes to Munich auction
29 May 2023Known for his countless self-portraits, second only in number to Rembrandt, and a distinctive style often with somewhat sinister undertones, Max Beckmann also created some surprising works.