Fine Art

Fine art is a staple of the dealing and auctioneering industry, featuring works ranging from Medieval art to traditional Old Masters, and right through to cutting-edge Contemporary art.

While oil paintings represent a large part of the sector, other mediums adopted by artists across the ages include drawings, watercolours, prints and photographs.

Edward Bawden watercolour

Rediscovered Edward Bawden watercolour finds path to London auction

19 June 2024

A watercolour by Edward Bawden (1903-1989) which was considered lost since the 1940s emerged at the latest fine art sale held at Olympia Auctions.

William Prinsep watercolour

Macau scenes set record for William Prinsep at Bonhams

19 June 2024

Two watercolours of the Portuguese colony of Macao by the British colonial artist William Prinsep (1794-1874) sold for record sums in Bonhams’ latest Travel & Exploration sale.

2649 NEDI Gorringes Robert Emmet 1

A portrait miniature of Irish revolutionary Robert Emmet rouses bidders at auction

17 June 2024

The emergence of a rare portrait miniature of Robert Emmet, dated c.1803, at Gorringe’s in Lewes proved to be an exciting discovery.

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Library emerges as big buyer at dedicated Welsh art auction

17 June 2024

Institution based in Aberystwyth purchases five post-war works at regular dedicated Welsh auction

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Sculpture focus: Walk this way

17 June 2024

Sculpture trails are part of the attractions this summer along with dealer shows and auctions

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Hillier work hidden from the Nazis by a maid comes for sale

17 June 2024

Tristram Hillier (1905-83) described the Surrealist pictures he created at Étretat, the picturesque town on the north-western coast of France, as “some of the best I have ever made”.

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Migrant artists on the move at Sotheby’s

17 June 2024

The summer exhibition running at Sotheby’s this year focuses on works by artists who were born overseas but passed through or settled in the UK permanently.

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Brushes with conflict: D-Day landings theme at dealer's Harrogate show

17 June 2024

World leaders and veterans recently marked the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Highlighting creative responses to war from two generations of the same family is the theme of a new exhibition in Harrogate.

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The war effort: London gallery and museum collaborate to show hidden prints

17 June 2024

A large cycle of lithographs created more than 100 years ago and then hidden away is seeing the light thanks to a collaboration between a London gallery and the Imperial War Museum

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Paper chasers: British Museum shows off recent print purchases

17 June 2024

The British Museum never stands still when it comes to acquiring works on paper, as a new exhibition showcasing purchases over the past 20 years demonstrates

Thomas and William Daniell watercolour

Indian bidding lifts Dreweatts picture sale as two works make over £200,000

14 June 2024

Two pictures by British artists with strong Indian connections sold for record sums at Dreweatts after drawing interest from sub-Continent.

Jean Simeon Chardin still life

Chardin still life raises bar for an Old Master in France

13 June 2024

Christie’s set a record for any Old Master sold in France when a still-life by Jean Simeon Chardin (1699-1779) made €23m (£19.4m) at an auction in Paris on June 12, selling to a European collector.

Rembrandt Bugatti bronze

Prowling panthers set Rembrandt Bugatti record in Paris

13 June 2024

An exceptional bronze by the Italian animalia sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti (1884-1916) sold for a record €3m (£2.53m) at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris.

John Deakin photographic prints

John Deakin photographic archive bid to 15 times estimate

12 June 2024

Wirral-born photographer John Deakin (1912-1972) is best-known for his uncompromisingly honest portraits of the Soho art scene of the 1950s and 60s.

Frieze Seoul

Fewer European exhibitors to stand at Frieze Seoul Masters section

10 June 2024

Frieze Seoul returns for its third edition this autumn at COEX from September 4-7. Once again, it will be showcasing a Masters section dedicated to more historic works.

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Darwin as depicted by the ‘father of art photography’

10 June 2024

An autographed photograph of Charles Darwin (1809-82) described as “very scarce” by Hansons (26.5% buyer’s premium) sold for £8500.

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Whether country or town views, Newlyn artists are setting the scene

10 June 2024

More paintings on offer in Dorest saleroom from the Cornish ‘school’ show the market strength

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Hey presto, it’s painter Giordano

10 June 2024

Exhibition showcases work of Neapolitan Baroque artist who was famed for the speed of his production

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Artist Kathleen Scale's work weighed up by a fresh audience

10 June 2024

The opening section of Duke’s latest Art & Design post 1880 sale was devoted to the ‘forgotten’ artist Kathleen Muriel Scale (1913-2006).

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Auction audience avid as Chinese export oil comes to the rostrum

10 June 2024

A Chinese export oil showing a Qing emperor at court led a single-owner dispersal at Tremont Auctions (27% buyer’s premium) in Sudbury, Massachusetts, on May 5.

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