Oil painting

Paintings of youngsters prove popular but provide a looser, less formal and spontaneous appeal

The artist Joseph Lindon Smith (1863-1950) is considered one of the most important figures in 20th century American Egyptology.

A notable Irish hunting painting that emerged at Fonsie Mealy (25% buyer’s premium including VAT) at the end of last year drew “very spirited bidding” according to the Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny saleroom.

A sale at Leland Little (25% buyer's premium) in Hillsborough, North Carolina, included a once well-known work by the Edwardian artist Charles Sims (1873-1928).

‘Two bidders going hell for leather’ race to £55,000 for scene by artist famed for atmospheric nocturns

Frank Frazetta’s cover painting for a 1967 Lancer/Ace Conan paperback, a landmark of modern fantasy art commonly known as Man Ape, sold for a world record $13.5m (£9.99m) including the buyer’s premium at Heritage Auctions.

Among the most eye-catching pictures that emerged at the summer auctions around the country were a couple of early 20th century portraits of young women.

Portrait of first governor of Western Australia stands out in a 745-lot auction offering colonial-era items

Victorian and traditional landscapes may no longer command the prices they did two decades ago, but the right examples – especially when guided by cautious estimates – can still draw healthy competition.

A 1911 oil sketch by Sir John Lavery (1856-1941) depicting his daughter Eileen astride a white horse generated plenty of competition at AH Wilkens (22% buyer’s premium) in Toronto.

Swiss Alpine scene takes top spot in a family consignment as UK sale reveals considerable demand

Two very different works offered in Oxford now have new owners from Australia and continental Europe