Parker Fine Art Auctions

A bust-length study, thought to be a self-portrait by Mary Beale (1633-99) from the early 1660s, sold above estimate at a recent sale at Parker Fine Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).

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.

Recent picture highlights at auction include works by artist renowned for his poultry depictions and writing on the subject

Group of works by a maker who used mostly traditional techniques creates a secondary market test

While pictures of young female sitters are not unusual in the oeuvre of George Clausen (1852-1944), ones with mythological or allegorical subjects are distinctly rarer.

The early English Surrealist Tristram Hillier (1905-83) was a regular visitor to Spain and Portugal.

Buffy Parker is celebrating 50 years in the art market.

One of the most talked about pictures sold at auction recently was a portrait by an almost unheard of artist that emerged in Surrey.

A couple of ballet-related lots danced away for high prices over the summer.

Usually overshadowed by the art that lies within, it is often forgotten that frames themselves can be a fundamental part of the overall value.

“Parker has created the first regular frames auction with a dedicated catalogue in more than 10 years. It is great to see.”

Can an original frame make all the difference to price? A recent Surrey auction provided an interesting test.

A small work by Maggi Hambling (b.1945) was among the pieces of Modern and Contemporary art attracting interest recently at Parker Fine Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).