Watercolours

Edouard Manet’s (1832-83) small-scale works have always enjoyed a keen following alongside his larger more finished paintings.

An artist’s painting of his wife turned heads at a recent David Lay (18% buyer’s premium) auction in Penzance, selling over 10 times above estimate.

A rare work by Sarah Biffin (1784-1850), the early 19th century artist born without limbs, sold for £9000 at Sworders on December 15.

Comet depiction is one of the highlights as UK dealers target US sales opportunity

Lyon & Turnbull’s (25/20% buyer’s premium) auction to disperse the contents of Lowood House may well be best remembered for the early 16th century maiolica dish which fetched a mighty £1.04m – reported on the front page of ATG No 2513.

New York dealer chooses ideal time to disperse a select group of works at dedicated auction.

In demand at home and abroad during his lifetime, the eminent miniaturist John Smart was an international draw at a trio of sales.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

Sold for £16,000 in a September 23 sale was an album of 41 watercolour studies of birds produced by William Weston Young (1776-1847).

Distinguished naval officer admired by Nelson was also a talented watercolour painter

Pescheteau Badin will be offering two unpublished watercolours by the Impressionist Edouard Manet (1832-83) on December 15.

Excellent selection of the artist’s wildlife works had been wrapped up and kept pristine.

Depicting sinewy limbed bearers relaxing beside a mahannah, this work 'Palanquin Bearers at Rest' by George Chinnery (1774-1852) is considered the largest and most accomplished figure drawing of the artist’s long career.

A mount to an ‘Indian school’ ink wash offered by Cuttlestones in Penkridge on September 2 read simply 'G Tagore'.

A group of works by painter, printmaker and war artist Edward Ardizzone (1900-79) was offered at Lawrences’ latest picture sale in Crewkerne, with eight lots coming from the artist’s family.

British watercolours and drawings amassed by dealer came under the spotlight at two salerooms

The Fry collection sold at Chiswick Auctions in London was reminiscent of the kind of auctions the dealer himself would attend

One of the most-represented names in the Fry collection was William Henry Hunt (1790-1864).

Works by Peter De Wint performed well at both Sotheby’s A Fine Line auction on July 7 and the online sale of Old Master and British Works on Paper from July 2-8.