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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Printing plate helped to spread the slavery abolition message

13 October 2025

An original printing plate for one of the best-known images of the abolitionist movement emerged at a recent Forum Auctions (27% buyer’s premium) sale in London.

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Changing sensibilities hit commerical fortunes of once-popular Nost sundial

13 October 2025

Selected Items from the Lynch House in Kensworth near Dunstable, home to the Rubin family of dealers for nearly 80 years, was offered in Dreweatts’ Fine Furniture, Sculpture, Carpets, Ceramics and Works of Art sale on September 10.

Tea Production Paintings

Museum purchases exceptional record of tea production from Asian art dealer

13 October 2025

Asian works of art specialist Alastair Gibson has recently completed the sale by private treaty of a set of Qianlong gouache scenes depicting tea cultivation and production.

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A trio of autumnal London art and antiques exhibitions

13 October 2025

To coincide with the V&A’s 'Marie Antoinette: Style' exhibition, portrait miniature specialist Emma Rutherford’s Limner Company is holding a ‘pop-up’ selling exhibition at Daniel Crouch Rare Books in Bury Street, Mayfair.

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ATG letter: Identity remains unknown but artist is Smart

13 October 2025

Following your reader’s letter regarding the identity of the portrait sold at Reeman Dansie (ATG no 2711), I have nothing to add to the discussion regarding the sitter’s identity.

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Photographer Tif Hunter at Robert Young Antiques

13 October 2025

When the Folk Art dealer Robert Young first met Tif Hunter over 30 years ago, he was instantly drawn to the photographer’s work.

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Face of Victorian Scotland captured by Brodie

13 October 2025

The Scottish sculptor William Brodie (1825-81) began his working life as a plumber’s apprentice in Aberdeen.

John Stubbe portrait

Relic of a Tudor trial turns heads at Wiltshire auction

10 October 2025

Lot 586 at Henry Aldridge’s (22% buyer’s premium) latest two-day sale was one of the more curious lots to appear at auction in recent times.

Girl in her Petticoat by Dod Procter

Major auction record for Dod Procter set at Bonhams

08 October 2025

While prices for the painter Dod Procter (1891-1972) have been rising over the last decade or so, a big jump in terms of her auction record came at Bonhams (28/27% buyer’s premium) latest sale of works by Modern British women artists in London.

Philip Mould and Fiona Bruce

Two new series commissioned for BBC’s Fake or Fortune?

08 October 2025

BBC Studios has retained the contract to continue producing Fake or Fortune? for another two series.

Harry Clarke illustration

Harry Clarke illustrations bring hefty sums in Dublin auction

07 October 2025

Dubin-born Henry Patrick Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s leading stained-glass artists and book illustrators.

Molenaer self-portrait

Details of sales to museums from across the globe revealed by TEFAF Maastricht

07 October 2025

A round up of recently announced sales from the TEFAF Maastricht fair earlier this year

Henry Moore chalk caricature

Henry Moore captures fellow sculptor in chalk form

06 October 2025

Catherine Southon’s October 15 Fine Sale in Chislehurst includes this chalk caricature of the sculptor Cecil Gunthorp (1893-1983) done by one Henry Moore (1898-1986).

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Hitchcock sketch presented at auction

06 October 2025

Long before it became the signature for the 1955-62 television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the director had perfected his self-portrait: an economic sketch of his profile rendered in just a couple of lines. Hitchcock would regularly draw and sign them for fans.

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Daubigny moonlight view in the spotlight

06 October 2025

The late 1850s to early 1860s was a significant period in the career of French painter Charles-François Daubigny (1817-78).

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Aronson sets the scene for a surprise dramatic bids battle

06 October 2025

American actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer Joel Grey (b.1932) is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the master of ceremonies in both the Broadway and film versions of the musical Cabaret.

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Tempest blows in to Kensington's Reindeer Antiques

06 October 2025

Kensington Church Street dealership Reindeer Antiques is hosting an exhibition and book launch for cartoonist Annie Tempest (b.1959).

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Everybody needs good neighbours, including sculpture specialists

06 October 2025

Meeting as neighbours at TEFAF Maastricht, two sculpture dealers have come together to hold an exhibition in London.

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Danish delights: Romantic landscape attracts highest UK auction price for 19th century painter

06 October 2025

A strong selection of European pictures gave a boost to the latest specialist picture sale held at Salisbury saleroom Woolley & Wallis’ (27/26% buyer’s premium).

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Liotard history painting is a real rarity

06 October 2025

Jean-Étienne Liotard (1702-89) made his name creating rococo pastel portraits of the European elite. However, in his formative years as a painter he had harboured loftier artistic ambitions as a history painter.

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