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.

Omai

Reynolds' portrait of Omai given £50m price tag and barred from export for a third time

15 March 2022

A buyer in the UK is sought to pay £50m for Sir Joshua Reynolds’ (1723-92) portrait of Pacific Islander Omai.

Flemish school portrait

Barcelona bidders on the trail of a ‘Bouts’ portrait

14 March 2022

A portrait of a 15th century Flemish man drew a protracted bidding battle in Barcelona this month after speculation it could be an elusive work by Dieric Bouts (c.1415-75).

Early Thomas Gainsborough picture

Portrait ‘by 16-year-old Thomas Gainsborough’ consigned to Cambridge sale

14 March 2022

An early work believed to have been painted by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) at the age of 16 has emerged at Cambridge saleroom Cheffins.

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Lewis couple consignments guided in the millions at Christie’s

14 March 2022

Christie’s was first off the mark in terms of releasing details of upcoming lots at this summer’s Old Masters auction series in London. Last week it announced two important consignments from the collection of Cecil and Hilda Lewis.

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Kubin’s disturbing demonic creations to be offered in Basel

14 March 2022

Works by Alfred Kubin will be offered at a Swiss auction this month.

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International fairs on the rise again as the shadow of the pandemic fades

14 March 2022

Old Masters dealers on the international fairs circuit have a robust range of exhibiting options ahead, despite nearly two years of pandemic-related disruption.

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Painting inspired by icy adventures sails into Stuttgart auction

14 March 2022

For several years, from 1902-06, the 'Oihonna', an ice-strengthened passenger ship belonging to the Finland Steamship Company, undertook regular cruises to the Norwegian archipelago of Spitzbergen.

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Unfinished ‘van Dyck’ stars in Sloane St debut

14 March 2022

An unfinished portrait attributed to Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) led the inaugural sale held by Sloane Street Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in London.

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Angelica Kauffman portrait reassessed as a George Romney attracts bidding at West Sussex sale

14 March 2022

A portrait of a young woman which was previously attributed to Angelica Kauffman drew bidding at Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium) after being reattributed to George Romney (1734-1802).

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Restituted Lovis Corinth comes to auction in Cologne

14 March 2022

Earlier this year the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels restituted a painting from its collection for the first time: Lovis Corinth’s (1858-1925) 'Still Life: Red and Pink Roses in a Vase on a Tablecloth (Flowers)' of 1913.

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Ulmann collection: Drawings amassed by doctor duo go under the hammer

14 March 2022

More than 1000 Old Master drawings offered in around 500 lots over two days went under the hammer of Beaussant Lefèvre (27% buyer’s premium inc VAT) at Drouot on February 10-11 when the auction firm dispersed the collection of Jacques and Colette Ulmann.

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Walter Sickert’s way to Tipperary

14 March 2022

A patriotic Walter Sickert (1860-1942) painting bought by the Imperial War Museum (IWM) in London is earmarked to be displayed among the exhibits in the new art, film and photographic galleries opening next year.

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Rediscovered Galizia still-life bears fruit for Colnaghi

14 March 2022

A rediscovered still-life by mannerist artist Fede Galizia (1578-1630) is among the highlights at Colnaghi’s exhibition 'Forbidden Fruit: Female Still Life'.

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Between Poland and London: The immigrant artist who made his name in Wales

14 March 2022

An ink drawing titled 'Four Miners' is among the works featured at Thompson’s Galleries, Aldeburgh, in an exhibition on Josef Herman (1911-2000).

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Photo record of a First World War nurse’s work

14 March 2022

The Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD) comprised volunteer civilians providing care to British, Empire and allied troops during the First World War, both in field hospitals near to the battlefield and in more established places of recuperation back home.

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Single owner collection of Weatherill watercolours stars in Harrogate

14 March 2022

When dealer Ian Walker was a child, his father gave him £5, which he promptly spent on a small, signed watercolour by Yorkshire artist George Weatherill (1810-90) he found in a Whitby antiques shop.

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Old Masters: Young auctioneers touched by a 16th century angel

14 March 2022

French rediscovery of a German artist’s work leads a look at the Old Masters market

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Flemish flourish as lively Old Master emerges at Bellmans

14 March 2022

A lively 17th century painting showing people in a Flemish tavern, drinking, smoking and playing cards with a man playing the bagpipes will be among the lots at Bellmans’ Old Master & 19th Century Paintings auction in Wisborough Green, West Sussex, on March 29.

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Young at art: Meet the dealers under 30 who specialise in Old Masters

14 March 2022

Buy low, sell high: one of the most basic rules of dealing. For young dealers breaking into the Old Masters market, however, it can be a challenge, writes Frances Allitt.

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Grand design from a Venetian artist abroad

14 March 2022

Among the Old Masters in Roseberys’ sale on March 22 is this painting depicting a view of Venice by Jacopo Fabris (1689-1761). It shows the Fondaco dei Turchi, a palazzo on the Grand Canal.

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