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.

Kingfisher by Archibald Thorburn

Rare Kingfisher sighting as Archibald Thorburn watercolour brings demand in Essex auction

18 March 2025

As ATG readers may recall from previous articles, when it comes to the works of the great ornithological artist Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) depictions of game birds tend to be the most commercial subjects.

img_4-4.jpg

Classic Art Week organisers confident about demand

17 March 2025

The organisers of Classic Art London, the new marketing initiative designed to replace London Art Week (LAW), say they are confident of passing the target of 20 dealers for its inaugural event.

img_12-1.jpg

Photography: Early achievers bring auction demand

17 March 2025

Recent auction sales shone the spotlight on pioneering photographers active in the first days of the art

img_36-1.jpg

Different type of expressionism: three extraordinary character heads

17 March 2025

Produced by a German-Austrian sculptor in the 18th century, three intriguing marble sculptures were among the attractions of the sale at EP Deutsch (24% buyer’s premium) on January 31 in Vienna.

img_24-4.jpg

Collector Cooke’s feast of 20th century works

17 March 2025

Thirty-eight lots offered in Bath included a strong array of 20th century works assembled in London

img_13-6.jpg

Haile Selassie signature on a photo seals auction interest

17 March 2025

Described as “exceptionally large” when offered by Chiswick Auctions (26/12% buyer’s premium), this black and white presentation photograph depicts Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie (1892-1975).

img_13-1.jpg

Julia Margaret Cameron’s Tennyson connections

17 March 2025

Julia Margaret Cameron was a neighbour and close friend of Alfred Tennyson on the Isle of Wight.

img_13-3.jpg

Gory days gone by reflected in whaling photographs for sale

17 March 2025

The personal photo album of a crew member of a post-war Antarctic whaling factory ship is for sale in April 29 at Charles Miller in London for an estimated £800-1200.

img_32-1.jpg

Fashionable faces on display

17 March 2025

Online exhibition focuses on style and dress depicted in 20th century art often by lesser-known creators

img_33-1.jpg

List for life: London gallery’s highlights since 1942

17 March 2025

Established in 1936, London gallery Abbott and Holder first published one of its now established ‘Lists’ in 1942. The firm now publishes these monthly, online, providing a way to introduce 100 new works of art to its existing stock.

img_14-2.jpg

Chinese history lessons courtesy of British observers

17 March 2025

The historic but compact English city of Lichfield and historic photographic views of China are not an immediately obvious fit but two auction houses made the connection recently.

Bonhams Great Bustard

Picture of bird extinct in Britain hammers down at Bonhams

14 March 2025

In a rare double sighting of the great bustard – a bird extinct in Britain – a picture and taxidermy are offered at auction

Pierre Soulages print

Art historian's modern prints emerge at south London auction

12 March 2025

A collection of works owned by German-born art historian Klaus Hinrichsen (1912-2004), a key figure in promoting émigré art in the UK, emerged at the latest specialist Prints & Multiples sale at south London saleroom Roseberys (26% buyer’s premium).

Matevž Langus portrait

A real jewel: Portrait by Slovenian artist bid to 13 times estimate with buyer also purchasing sitter's necklace

11 March 2025

The artist Matevž Langus (1792-1855) is not a familiar name in UK salerooms. However, in his native Slovenia he remains well known as a portraitist and fresco painter.

img_6-2.jpg

Old Master sale could set single-owner high

10 March 2025

A major consignment of Old Masters is coming up at Sotheby’s New York which the auction house said is poised to break the record for any singleowner sale in this category.

Steven Spurrier drawing

Celebrated illustrator's work comes to market at London gallery

10 March 2025

The legacy of Steven Spurrier is being revived by Panter & Hall in its current exhibition

Knabe in Matrosenanzug by Egon Schiele

Restituted Egon Schiele sketch brings strong bidding at Christie’s

10 March 2025

An Egon Schiele (1890-1918) work on paper formerly owned by the Jewish cabaret performer Fritz Grünbaum was among the lots drawing competition at Christie’s latest evening sale in London.

img_38-4.jpg

New London dealers join Salon du Dessin line-up

10 March 2025

March is traditionally the month for drawings and works on paper in Paris, a magnet that attracts enthusiasts from around the world to the French capital.

img_21-1.jpg

Four Kemp-Welch works gallop into Lincoln auction

10 March 2025

Among the watercolours attracting interest at the earlier part of the year were four works by Lucy Elizabeth Kemp-Welch (1869-1958) that appeared at Lincoln saleroom Golding Young & Mawer (24% buyer’s premium).

img_19-3.jpg

Emperor Commodus bust brings bidders to Oxford auction

10 March 2025

A Roman marble bust of the tyrannical Emperor Commodus attracted a flurry of bids at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) in Oxford.

Categories

News