Old Masters

Traditionally this sector is defined as works by master painters working in Europe from before 1800. It includes Renaissance artists and Dutch Golden Age painters for example. Today Old Master auctions in London and New York will include works by British artists as well as some 19th century works.


Anthony van Dyck horse

Van Dyck horse portrait rides back into the saleroom

14 November 2024

Vendor looks to double their money after discovering Anthony Van Dyck’s ‘only surviving landscape’ on the back of equestrian portrait

The Three Crosses print

Second tranche of ‘unparalleled’ collection of Rembrandt prints heads to Christie’s

07 November 2024

Christie’s will offer a further 90 Rembrandt prints from the collection of the late Sam Josefowitz next month.

The old city of Bilbao

Bidders look beyond the grime as historic panorama of Bilbao catches the eye at Exeter auction

06 November 2024

A large and historic view of Bilbao in Spain was among the lots bringing competition at a recent sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (26% buyer’s premium) in Exeter.

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Fierce foursome: drawings show talent and power of Tiepolo junior

04 November 2024

Like his younger brother Lorenzo, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1727-1804) learnt his art in the studio of his father Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

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PAN Amsterdam welcomes 16 newcomers for upcoming edition

04 November 2024

For those looking for a city break that brings culture, history and a chance to browse a carefully curated and wide range of art and antiques, it might be an idea to hop over to the Netherlands while 'PAN Amsterdam' is taking place.

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Francken's Triumph of Love comes to Munich saleroom

04 November 2024

Around 1621, the Flemish painter Frans Francken II created a type of Who’s Who of mythological couples, when he painted his 20in x 2ft 1in (50 x 64cm) 'Triumph of Love' on a copper panel.

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Aces high: Rediscovered Old Master flies to six times estimate at Connecticut saleroom

28 October 2024

The latest sale at Aces Gallery in Stamford, Connecticut, was topped by the multi-estimate performance of a rediscovered allegorical painting by Venetian artist Paris Bordone (c.1500-71).

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Early Poussin emerges at Paris sale

21 October 2024

An early work by Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) will be offered by Ader at the Drouot auction centre on November 26.

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Painting reveals Thomas Germain silversmith secrets

21 October 2024

The star of a recent auction held by Pousse-Cornet (21.8% buyer’s premium inc tax) in Blois was a particularly interesting still-life painting by the artist Alexandre-Francois Desportes (1661-1743).

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Top stories this week including news of research revealing the mystery behind a 'curious' painting

20 October 2024

The most viewed stories on this website over the last week included the results of an 18-month research project into a rare 17th century painting of black and white women.

Two Women Wearing Cosmetic Patches

Rare 17th century portrait of black and white women goes on display at Compton Verney

10 October 2024

Following an 18-month conservation and research project at the Yale Center for British Art, an enigmatic double portrait that drew a dramatic competition at auction in 2021 is going on display at its new permanent home of Compton Verney.

L'Automne by Paris Bordone

Ace in the pack as rediscovered Old Master flies to six times estimate

09 October 2024

The latest sale at Aces Gallery in Stamford, Connecticut was topped by the multi-estimate performance of a rediscovered allegorical painting by Venetian artist Paris Bordone (c.1500-71).

Pablopicasso (1881 1973), Carnaval Au Bistrot. Paris, Ete. 1908, Watercolor On Paper, 22.5 X 21 Cm, Courtesy Patrick Bourne Co.

Master Drawings New York announces dates for 2025

08 October 2024

The 19th edition of Master Drawings New York is expected to feature more than 20 exhibitors from New York, London, Paris, Madrid and Brussels

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Desportes chased down at £32,000 in Surrey saleroom

07 October 2024

The French artist Alexandre-François Desportes (1661-1743) spent much of his early career as a portraitist, including a notable spell working at the court of King Jan Sobieski of Poland.

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Bidders scale the smaller heights of the Old Master world

07 October 2024

Sale that featured Constable and Drury big-hitters also included intriguing lots at lower price levels

Thomas Gainsborough Humphrey Tugwell C.1763. Photo Credit Dan Weill

Gainsborough portraits on public display for the first time

05 October 2024

Four Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) family portraits acquired under the Acceptance in Lieu scheme have gone go on public display for the first time.

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Dealer Dickinson offers ‘early Michelangelo’

30 September 2024

London dealer Dickinson is offering what it says is ‘the one of the most exciting old master discoveries to have been made in recent decades, and is an important addition to the small group of extant drawings by Michelangelo’.

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Pick of the Week: Constable's letter from key patron

23 September 2024

A letter written to John Constable by a key patron formed part of the sale of Old Masters and 19th Century Art at Chiswick Auctions on September 18.

portrait of a man

‘Dutch school’ portrait catches the eye making over 40 times estimate in Ruislip

13 September 2024

With Old Master sleeper spotters trawling through online catalogues looking for works with hidden potential, it’s not unusual for the odd lot to draw an unexpected bidding at sales all over the country.

Bastille sketch

Contemporaneous sketch of the demolished Bastille makes $1.6m at Freeman’s Hindman

10 September 2024

A sketch which was given by the Marquis de Lafayette to the first American president George Washington sold for $1.6m (£1.22m) at an auction in Philadelphia earlier today.

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