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.

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Letter including drawing of turbulent lovers Verlaine and Rimbaud sold at at Christie’s

01 February 2021

Sold for €160,000 (£144,145) was a letter sent by Félix Régamy to his brother Frédéric including a drawing of Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine in England.

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European picture highlights in Essex sale include a tranquil river and bustling Rome

01 February 2021

The two-day sale at Sworders at the end of last year included a couple of notable Continental works that drew considerable competition.

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Pencil drawings by Sir John Tenniel for Lewis Carroll’s stories emerge in Connecticut

01 February 2021

A plentiful supply of material of British and European interest was on offer among the 703 lots of furniture, jewellery, decorative objects and fine art offered at a recent sale at Nadeau’s (23% buyer’s premium) in Windsor, Connecticut.

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Milan sketch raises Richard Parkes Bonington auction reputation

01 February 2021

In the spring of 1826, artist Richard Parkes Bonington (1802-28) arrived in Milan with his companion and patron Charles Rivet.

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Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?

01 February 2021

Signed and inscribed Marilyn Monroe photo to 'Joe' poses an auction puzzler

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‘High priestess of the grotesque’: Pat Douthwaite’s challenging oil paintings took a look at the wicked side of life

01 February 2021

Challenging, grotesque and raw, 'The Fete' sums up the art of Pat Douthwaite (1934-2002).

Banksy's Morons screenprint

Only Banksy would do this in the saleroom

01 February 2021

A print by street artist Banksy (b.1974) called Morons, depicting an art auction featuring the former Christie’s boss Charles Hindlip, has been sold by a member of his family.

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Works by Norwich School artists from single owner bring 'focused interest' at Sworders

01 February 2021

Rare auction appearance of market-fresh group of works by Norwich School artists such as Cotman and Chrome

Portrait of Henry III by court artist Jean Decourt

'Lockdown locket' of Henry III could go home to France

30 January 2021

A ‘lockdown locket’ discovered at a regional auction house has been identified as depicting Henri III, King of France (1551-89) by portrait miniature consultant Emma Rutherford at dealership Philip Mould.

Young Man Holding a Roundel’ by Sandro Botticelli

Sandro Botticelli portrait takes $80m at Sotheby’s Old Master auction in New York

28 January 2021

A portrait by Sandro Botticelli (c.1445-1510) sold for $80m (£58.4m) at Sotheby’s in New York today. With fees the price was $92.2m.

Mary Beale portrait of her son Bartholomew

Mother’s portrait of her son proves £100,000 sleeper at Colchester sale

28 January 2021

A portrait of a young boy in profile drew spectacular bidding at the latest sale held by Reeman Dansie (20% buyer’s premium) of Colchester.

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London Art Week makes plans for spring and summer

25 January 2021

London Art Week has a full calendar of events for this year including virtual exhibitions and plans to host in-person shows if restrictions allow.

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Allan Ramsay portrait deemed ‘a Rolls-Royce of a painting’

25 January 2021

A rediscovered historical portrait by a major name can give a boost to any sale.

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Rare view reveals Dum Dum, 1847

25 January 2021

The final part of dealer Jack Webb's collection displayed his passion for military photographs, especially daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and cartes de visite.

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Steamy Russell Flint works set pulses racing

25 January 2021

A collection of watercolours by Sir William Russell Flint (1880-1969) given their own stand-alone catalogue set pulses racing at Lyon & Turnbull.

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Fechin portrait fetches surprise price

25 January 2021

This portrait of a young girl with a red headscarf caused the biggest surprise in the latest sale of Russian art at Dr Fischer (28% buyer’s premium) in Heilbronn, Germany.

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German and Austrian sales: freshness counts in Old Master sector

25 January 2021

In a market challenged by a lack of fresh consignments, works new to the saleroom stand out

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Life returns to the lochs and glens

25 January 2021

Traditional picturesque views of Scotland show signs of a market revival

Nick Crean

5 Questions: Contemporary art specialist Nick Crean

25 January 2021

Nick Crean began his career running the private office of Charles and Maurice Saatchi and recently founded Crean & Company, an online gallery championing established and emerging mixed-media Contemporary artists.

Banksy Morons print

Banksy print once owned by the former Christie’s auctioneer who is depicted in it comes for sale at Forum

23 January 2021

A print by street artist Banksy (b.1974) called Morons depicting an art auction is coming for sale at Forum.

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