Fine Art

Outside the John Patten collection at Lawrences of Crewkerne on October 12 were several other good-quality pictures boosting the bottom line.

The major talking point of Tennants’ (22/20% buyer’s premium) Modern & Contemporary Art sale was the £840,000 seascape by LS Lowry which was the highest total for a picture at the auction house and the second-highest price for any lot ever sold at the saleroom (see ATG No 2565).

This snowy scene by Suffolk artist Thomas Smythe (1825-1907) features in English and Continental Antiques’ winter exhibition in Eye.

Trio of paintings depict life at a long-disappeared family home

The works of Modern British artist Mary Fedden (1915-2012) are accessible and have a wide appeal. Despite a spike in her prices following her death, these days they are relatively affordable too.

Among the works attracting interest at a recent Bellmans (22% buyer’s premium) sale were two pictures formerly in the collection at Shakenhurst Hall.

Works from the 1930s are arguably the most desirable pictures when it comes to Oldham-born artist James Fitton (1899-1982). They just do not appear very often.

When collecting portrait miniatures it is important to know what materials have been used.

Old Master and a string of heavy hitters boost an encouraging event despite challenging times

A round up of portrait miniatures appearing at auction and offered by dealers.

“I couldn’t have started collecting without the help and guidance of Robert Bayne-Powell (1910-94).

A newly discovered first edition copy of Francisco Goya’s most celebrated printed work, 'Los Caprichos' (The Caprices), is up for auction at Butterscotch in Bedford, New York, on December 4 with an estimate on request.

The market presence of Sarah Biffin (1784-1850), a portrait miniaturist born without hands, arms and legs, has been rising over the past few years.

Despite being buffeted by the vagaries of fashion and now the modern crusade against antique ivory, portrait miniatures have managed to keep a keen collecting base.

How can an enthusiast create a museum-quality collection without vast sums of money?

A dealer has identified a design for a cenotaph to Antonio Canova (1757-1822) in time for the 200th anniversary of the Italian sculptor’s death.

This English watercolour of a Chelsea Pensioner c.1900, priced at £500, is among the offerings at the Christmas 2022 exhibition held jointly by former business partners Malcolm Innes and Anthony Woodd.