Europe


Antonello da Messina’s Ecce Homo

Rare Antonello da Messina panel sells to Italian government following auction withdrawal

10 February 2026

Following the last-minute withdrawal of arguably Sotheby’s headline lot of the latest round of Old Master sales in New York, it has been announced that the rare double-sided panel by Antonello da Messina (c.1430-79) has been acquired by the Italian Ministry of Culture.

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Sèvres plate too expensive for a French king comes to auction in Germany

06 February 2026

Sèvres had high hopes of royal approval and purchase but the Service des Départements was rejected

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Massier parrots and palms planter cultivate bids at auction

06 February 2026

Delphin Massier, the creator of a large cachepot on stand sold by Dannenberg (28% buyer’s premium) in Berlin, was a member of the dynasty of ceramic artists who worked in Vallauris from the 18th century onwards.

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Rare Transylvanian wedding beaker celebrated at German sale

06 February 2026

In many parts of the German-speaking world, it was once customary for a newly married couple to drink together from a silver or parcel gilt bridal beaker.

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Wedding of wine god Bacchus inspired Boucher’s work

06 February 2026

Greek mythology provided François Boucher with an endless source of inspiration. One tale he returned to on several occasions was that of Ariadne and Bacchus.

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Iznik dish set to bloom in Stuttgart

06 February 2026

A late 16th century Iznik pottery dish will surely attract bids at Nagel’s sale titled Six Continents in Stuttgart on February 25.

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Even small Gabriel Loppé works hit saleroom highs

06 February 2026

‘Any half-good work’ by the artist-mountaineer ‘seems to get several phone lines booked’, says expert

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Bugatti, Hoffman and Dunand deliver serious quality

06 February 2026

Opened in 2024, Sceners Gallery of Paris uses a distinctive vocabulary to promote top examples of historic and contemporary design.

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School more successful at drawing in artists than teaching German

06 February 2026

When north German pastor Johannes Jacobsen founded a school of weaving in the then German-Danish border town of Scherrebek in 1896, his intention was driven by nationalism.

John Galliano painted silk evening gown

Christian Dior Haute Couture collection takes €6m at auction

04 February 2026

The white glove sale of a collection of modern Christian Dior Haute Couture from a wealthy fashion fan has set four world records.

Alexandra and Nicola Whittaker

Business launches and new joiners across the world of art and antiques

28 January 2026

The latest Movers and Shakers from auction houses, galleries, advisors and associations

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Paris gallery G Sarti salutes its late founder

23 January 2026

This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the opening of Galerie G Sarti and only a few months since the death of its founder.

Hans Baldung drawing

Rare unpublished Hans Baldung drawing emerges in France

20 January 2026

A small drawing by Hans Baldung (c.1484-1545) which has been in the same family for over 500 years will be offered at auction in March.

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Hunt for impressive Michael Angelo Hayes work ends in an auction record

16 January 2026

A notable Irish hunting painting that emerged at Fonsie Mealy (25% buyer’s premium including VAT) at the end of last year drew “very spirited bidding” according to the Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny saleroom.

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How Japanese lacquer moved into the modern era

16 January 2026

Working in Japanese urushi lacquer requires patience. Harvested from the sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, it is built up slowly, layer by layer, each stage requiring careful drying and polishing under controlled conditions.

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Gallery hopes to reap rewards of cross-collecting

16 January 2026

Pairing old with new has become a familiar tactic in the art market.

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Portrait attributed to Rubens to be unveiled at BRAFA

14 January 2026

A sketch believed to be the work of Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), and which contains a distinctive second face, is to be offered at BRAFA this month.

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Five highlights at the upcoming BRAFA fair in Brussels

09 January 2026

The long-running BRAFA Art Fair in Brussels is traditionally one of the earliest events in the international art fair calendar.

The Happy Family

‘Mysterious’ collection of 18th-century French paintings comes to auction

08 January 2026

A group of 30 Old Masters, including pictures by Fragonard and Watteau, held in a private collection for decades and rarely seen in public will be offered at Christie’s Paris this spring.

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Bust follows style of sculptor and ‘nose breaker’ Torrigiano

05 January 2026

When a 16th century white marble bust of an elderly man with a furrowed brow and resolute gaze came up for sale at Nagel (29.5% buyer’s premium) in Stuttgart, it was clear that more than one bidder was confident of knowing either the identity of the artist or that of the subject.

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