Fine Art

“I will always be a painter of beaches,” declared Eugène Boudin (1824-98) in 1864.

This Neoclassical drawing by the Swedish sculptor Johann Tobias Sergel (1740-1814) proved very popular in the opening Old Master works on paper section of the mixed-discipline traditional sale held by the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo 25% buyer’s premium) on November 27 in Monaco.

While individuals and pairs from the suite of five bronze cricketers by Joseph Durham (1814-77) are occasionally seen on the rostrum, it is rare to find all five appearing together.

Three modestly valued works selling at regional sales including a David Young Cameron castle view.

When Theodoros Patros Vryzakis (1814-78) was only a young boy, his father was executed by the Turks during the Greek War of Independence.

Way before the TV comedy series artist Gilbert Spencer was depicting the Home Guard.

A set of famous and highly collectable photographic portraits by a well known photographer and a rare postcard painted by a German Expressionist were two highlights of an auction at Berlin saleroom Grisebach (30/25% buyer’s premium) on November 27.

Artist Sarah Biffin (1784-1850) is believed to have had the condition phocomelia and was born without hands, arms or feet.

A ‘prominent’ northern English family consigned a seascape by the Dutch Golden Age painter Jacob van Ruisdael (1628-82) to Anderson & Garland (22% buyer’s premium).

An international buyer paid £34,000 for a 15th century Netherlandish School oil on panel of the Virgin and St Elizabeth which was last on the market in 1955.

A pair of engravings after Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c.1525-69) sold for more than six-times estimate at auction in Essex.

Three modestly valued works selling at regional sales including a Herbert Thomas Dicksee polar bear print.

Exhibition shows how painter’s shift from realism to Pre-Raphaelite fantasies paid off.

Bidders respond positively to auction combination of quality, freshness and pricing.

Grosvenor Prints celebrated its 40th anniversary in Covent Garden this month.

Musical manuscript and portrait on song in salerooms.

An occasional feature on mystery works the Art UK charity is seeking help to identify.

There is still time to buy art before the end of the year, and many galleries and dealerships host dedicated Christmas shows. Though prices range, here is a selection of works available across the UK for under £5000.