Old Masters

An early view of the Royal Hospital in Greenwich was among the lots generating interest at Sloane Street Auctions (26.5% buyer’s premium) in London this summer.

For almost half a century, a portrait of a young nobleman by the Flemish artist Bernard van Orley had been hidden.

An unattributed French 18th century pen and ink drawing was highly sought after at the auction held by Bassenge (25% buyer’s premium) in Berlin.

Kinsky (25% buyer’s premium) in Vienna completely underestimated the international interest for a painting by the late 17th century Swiss artist Joseph Werner (1637-1710) offered in an art and antiques sale this summer.

The one-time director of the State Museum of Baden in south-west Germany, Rudolf Schnellbach, was obviously an astute buyer of art.

A portrait by Robert Peake the Elder (c.1551-1619) was the top lot at the Bonhams (28/27% buyer’s premium) Old Master Paintings sale in London on July 1.

Two notable works by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) from different ends of his career drew contrasting levels of demand at separate summer auctions.

Latest auction results suggest the market is showing encouraging signs as new collectors emerge and others expand their horizons

A work described as an “exciting addition to the oeuvre of Gillis Claeissens (1526-1605)” was the star performer at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Old Master, British and European art sale.

Anicet Charles Gabriel Lemonnier had a long and distinguished career, making a name for himself with his many-figured paintings of historical meetings.

Since it was purchased at Sotheby’s in London in 1935, a painting by Pieter Brueghel the Younger had remained in possession of the family of a Swiss collector.