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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Florentine panel could be work of di Cione family

31 March 2025

Decisively claiming top-lot status in the January 12 sale at Clarke Auction Gallery (28% buyer’s premium) was a Florentine School gold ground and tempera panel that hammered for $230,000 (£177,380).

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Man’s best friend is best seller as canine art stars in US saleroom

31 March 2025

The February 14 sale at Freeman’s Hindman (27% buyer’s premium) was dubbed Interiors featuring a Collection of Canine Art.

Henry Gibbs’ Aeneas and his Family Fleeing Burning Troy

Nazi-looted painting in Tate’s collection returned to heirs after eight decades

29 March 2025

A painting by British artist Henry Gibbs (1630/1–1713) purchased by Tate in 1994 has been returned to the heirs of Belgian Jewish art collector Samuel Hartveld following a decision by the Spoliation Advisory Panel.

On the Beach by John Lavery

Lavery beach scene creates waves at Surrey auction

28 March 2025

Among a number of works by John Lavery (1856-1941) to emerge on the secondary market recently, a rapidly executed view of the Venice Lido was among those that bought strong competition when it appeared for sale in Farnham, Surrey.

David Evans, Man And Cat In Sitting Room, Circa 1975, 8117 14.59.20

Undiscovered work of 'genius' gay artist in new exhibition

27 March 2025

David Evans died tragically young and before receiving the recognition and acclaim that many feel he deserves. A new show hopes to highlight his talent.

EM Forster photo

Duncan Grant’s diary sells for 14 times estimate at Gorringe's

27 March 2025

The rediscovered diary of Bloomsbury artist Duncan Grant (1885-1978) drew strong interest this week after emerging at an auction at Gorringe's in Lewes, East Sussex.

George Romney drawing

Windfall for vendor who found George Romney sketch in rubbish skip

26 March 2025

A sketch by George Romney (1734-1802) came to a recent auction in south London with a remarkable backstory.

Joseph Cartwright watercolour

Cartwright’s Corfu scene brings demand in Scottish auction

25 March 2025

Among the works on paper attracting interest at the early spring auctions was a 19th century study that emerged at a sale in Dumfries.

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Early Klimt African prince portrait stars in Maastricht

24 March 2025

A hit at TEFAF was a rediscovered portrait that Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) painted in 1897 of Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona, from the Ga people of west Africa.

Eric Ravilious print

London gallery publishes print fair special

24 March 2025

Abbott & Holder have just published their second list of available works for March

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Classic Sengantini mountain view climbs to €150,000 hammer price

24 March 2025

A landscape by Gottardo Guido Segantini (1882-1974) was the highly fought-after favourite at Döbritz (26% buyer’s premium) in Frankfurt on February 22.

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Jersey view takes top Blampied spot

24 March 2025

Local scenes by the incredibly prolific artist from the Channel Islands are favourites in today’s market

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Mona Lisa 'taken as tourist souvenir'

24 March 2025

One 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.

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Medal marks the unpopular royal marriage of Mary and Philip

24 March 2025

A Renaissance gilt bronze medal made to mark the marriage of Queen Mary I (1516-58) and King Philip II (1527-98) sold for £15,500 at Sloane Street Auctions (26.5% buyer’s premium).

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Good bit of monkey money business

24 March 2025

One 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.

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Pulling your leg? No, it really is a portrait with no body

24 March 2025

A curious unsigned oil on linen soared past its $800- 1200 guide to achieve $7000 (£5400) at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium) in Maine.

The Lustre Bowl by Sir William Nicholson

William Nicholson still life sells for five times estimate at Christie’s

21 March 2025

Christie’s latest evening sale of Modern British and Irish Art raised a total of £11.3m including premium with all bar one of the 24 lots selling on the night.

Emil Nolde watercolour

Emil Nolde watercolour sells for £29,000 at Halls

20 March 2025

A watercolour by the Expressionist painter Emil Nolde (1867-1956) which underwent a year-long authentication process drew a decent competition at Halls this week.

Ludovic-Rodolphe Pissarro woodcut

Exhibition celebrates women during wartime

19 March 2025

From woodcuts to a design for Wedgwood plates, Women at War offers perspectives of war that are slightly less familiar

John Constable sketch

John Constable sketch sells for £320,000 at Tennants

18 March 2025

A previously unrecorded John Constable (1776-1837) sketch attracted strong bidding at North Yorkshire saleroom Tennants this weekend.

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