Old Masters

The sale of big-ticket lots by artists such as Rembrandt, Canaletto and Michelangelo boosted the overall total at the latest Old Master auction series in New York to a record high.

An Italian Old Master drawing of a left leg strode to a hammer price of $45,000 (£33,515) on January 8 at Eldred’s (28% buyer’s premium) in East Dennis, Massachusetts.

Greek mythology provided François Boucher with an endless source of inspiration. One tale he returned to on several occasions was that of Ariadne and Bacchus.

The huge changes that Florentine art underwent in the 15th century are illustrated by two pictures in Robilant + Voena’s latest exhibition in London: an altarpiece by Neri di Bicci (1419-91) and a Madonna and Child by his pupil Francesco Botticini (1446-97).

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including the TEFAF restoration fund awarding €50,000 to the Old Master picture gallery in Dresden, Germany.

Swedish artists are especially prominent in show staged by first-time exhibitor at Master Drawings

This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the opening of Galerie G Sarti and only a few months since the death of its founder.

A portrait of John Roper, 1st Baron Teynham (d.1618), has been united with his descendants following our article on the rediscovered picture (ATG No 2720).

Poignant paintings make highest auction sum for the artist outside London

The arts and crafts of colonial America are enjoying a purple patch in the market as Western institutions seek to tell the story of Latin American art in more inclusive and expansive ways

Market freshness and good provenance have always been key components in the Old Master sector, and the latest series of auctions in this category underlined how heavily dependent the market remains on the supply of works that have these qualities.