Fine Art

The work of Belgian artist celebrated in his day is coveted by modern collectors judging by latest sales.

These days you have to pay for the privilege of spending the night at the former House of Correction in Folkingham, Lincolnshire.

Nick Skipp launched Nick Skipp Fine Art in 2022. He specialises in Modern European and British abstract art and studio ceramics alongside selected antiquities such as sculpture and pottery. Skipp exhibits at this week’s Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair.

One of the most eyecatching collections of Impressionist and Modern art sold at a provincial auction at the end of last year comprised 17 lots from the late Ralph Bateman.

The decision by Cologne auction house Lempertz (26% buyer’s premium) to postpone the sale of Max Pechstein’s 1909 Expressionist work Selbstbildnis, liegend (Self Portrait, lying down) from June to December 1 proved to be a wise one.

A white marble sculpture of a young man holding what appears to be a cricket ball flew away from its estimate to bring $30,000 (£23,700) at Andrew Jones (25% buyer’s premium).

A still-life by Sir William Nicholson (1872-1949) that appeared in the final sale of the year at Olympia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) “generated ripples of excitement among private collectors and the trade alike” according to the West London saleroom.

Rembrandt prints were a prominent feature of the London Old Master sales in December.

Quirky subjects generate the most eye-catching results at the latest Old Master auction series

One of the Old Masters attracting significant interest at Lyon & Turnbull’s (25/20% buyer’s premium) latest Five Centuries sale in Edinburgh was a small still-life that drew strong competition against a £5000-8000 estimate.

The handstitched booklet titled Balls & My Partners, 1844-1845 was written by Adelaide Horatia Elizabeth Seymour (1825-77) as she enjoyed the life of a debutante.

It’s Robert Mapplethorpe but not, perhaps, as you know him.

A couple of views of London were strongly contested at the latest Old Master auction series in the capital.

Willoughby Gerrish is a sculpture specialist trading from Yorkshire and London, and is among the exhibitors at London Art Fair.

Picture on exhibitor’s stand depicts an equestrian act when Islington's Business Design Centre hosted agricultural shows

Bonhams’ (28/27% buyer’s premium) latest Old Master sale at its New Bond Street rooms was hard going, with almost half the lots unsold and two-thirds of those that did get away either going on or below their low estimate.

A lot in a recent Andrew Jones (25% buyer’s premium) auction that will doubtless merit further research was an early 19th century French self-portrait.