Fine Art

Fine art is a staple of the dealing and auctioneering industry, featuring works ranging from Medieval art to traditional Old Masters, and right through to cutting-edge Contemporary art.

While oil paintings represent a large part of the sector, other mediums adopted by artists across the ages include drawings, watercolours, prints and photographs.

Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy

Another Good result in Wimbledon: Rediscovered Old Master sets house record

13 July 2026

A previously unrecorded portrait of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy has set a house record at Wimbledon Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).

Heraldic beasts

Heraldic beasts stir competition at Bonhams

10 July 2026

Among the most eagerly contested lots at Bonhams’ latest sale of Fine Decorative Arts held in Bond Street was this set of four English heraldic beasts c.1600.

Parliament picture

Parliamentary proceedings as dealer snaps up 'seminal document' at auction

10 July 2026

A “seminal document of Parliamentary history” has been purchased at auction by dealership Philip Mould & Company for a hammer price of £62,000.

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Event that challenges the traditional fairs model travels to Texas for first US edition

10 July 2026

Event organiser Mariette & Co is launching the first international iteration of its Trois Crayons Drawings Hub in the United States this autumn.

Paul Sarrut drawing

Auction buys and dealer purchases help army museum to stage Indian soldier show

10 July 2026

The National Army Museum’s exhibition, Drawn on the Western Front, showcases a series of recent works on paper acquisitions as well as its new medals partnership with Lord Ashcroft.

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Bidders drawn to extensive single-owner offering of vintage carriages and kit

10 July 2026

After moving to a farm at Cropton, North Yorkshire, over the next 25 years Ian David Smith assembled an extensive private collection of horse-drawn vehicles and associated items.

Thomas Gainsborough's landscape with donkeys

Fitzwilliam Museum buys early Thomas Gainsborough drawing at auction

10 July 2026

A drawing from the early part of Thomas Gainsborough's (1727-88) career, dating from 1748 when the artist was 20 years old, sold to the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cheffins' latest fine art sale.

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Indian royal marriage miniature painting sleeper emerges from gallery curator’s estate

10 July 2026

Before the start of a recent sale at Quinn’s Auction Galleries (27% buyer’s premium), staff members of the Falls Church, Virginia, auction house speculated on which lot would outsell the rest.

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Cricketer, architect then an artist is the focus of Chris Beetles' latest show

10 July 2026

This watercolour by Herbert Menzies Marshall (1841-1913) showing Ludgate Hill, London, is among the items on sale at Chris Beetles Gallery’s Summer Exhibition.

Pier Francesco Mola drawing

Christie’s sale of works from London dealer Stephen Ongpin raises £2.51m

08 July 2026

A work on paper by Italian Baroque artist Pier Francesco Mola (1612-66) was among the lots bringing demand at Christie’s sale of works from London dealer Stephen Ongpin.

A portrait of a naval officer by Henry Raeburn

Rediscovered Henry Raeburn portrait brings competition in Cambridge auction

07 July 2026

A previously unrecorded painting by Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823) that “slipped through the net of all scholars” led the latest fine art sale held by Cambridge saleroom Cheffins (25% buyer’s premium).

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Miniature work but a massive result at Treasure House Fair

03 July 2026

Just a few hours after the Treasure House Fair opened to the public, London jeweller Wartski announced the sale of a major highlight from its stand.

Copper Plate Dali 2751IE

Printing plates provide ‘closer connection’ to artists

03 July 2026

Original copper printing plates for works by famous artists do not appear often at auction, and rarely does a private collection come for sale.

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Cadell fans figure out the added appeal of this Scottish Colourist

03 July 2026

Paintings of elegantly attired female figures hold a special place in the oeuvre of the Scottish Colourist Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883-1937).

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Surreal successes in the US

03 July 2026

When a Philadelphia family consigned Europa, a 1927 painting by Czech Modernist Josef Šíma (1891-1971), to Freeman’s (28/21% buyer’s premium) last year, it prompted scholars and art historians to do a double take.

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The Glasgow slums revealed by a pioneering photographer

03 July 2026

Thomas Annan’s famous book is now rated as ‘one of the finest photographic works of the 19th century’

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A whisker away from destruction: Louis Wain works emerge from a skip

03 July 2026

While cats might occasionally be seen prowling round a skip, it’s much rarer to spot a painting in such a location by, yes you guessed it, the feline fan’s favourite Louis Wain (1860-1939).

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Striking sitter captures the attention in Brockhurst portrait

03 July 2026

A typically enigmatic portrait by Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (1890-1978) attracted interest at a recent sale at Lawrences (25 buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne in Somerset.

The Hamilton Laocoön

‘A singular miracle in art’: The Hamilton Laocoön generates extraordinary demand at Sotheby’s

02 July 2026

A remarkable bronze cast of one of the most revered ancient sculptures, Laocoön and His Sons, drew fierce bidding at Sotheby’s on July 1 and led the latest round of ‘Classic art’ sales in London.

Henry Pettifer of Christie’s

Christie’s Old Master sale lead by Lawrence’s Duke of Wellington portrait at record £8m

01 July 2026

A well known portrait of the Duke of Wellington set an auction record for Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) at Christie’s latest Old Master evening sale.

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