Art Market

Does the Contemporary art auction market need levelling up?

Apparently Sally Arnup (1930-2015) knew she was going to be a sculptor from the age of five – taking a shed in the family garden as a studio.

The rise in Contemporary African art sales is reflected in the market and wider art world this autumn.

A new gallery has opened in Chipping Campden.

Five works by Maggi Hambling (b.1945) will be offered at Cambridge saleroom Cheffins on October 27.

Most watercolours by Violet Esther Drury Clutterbuck (1869-1960) tend to fetch a few hundred pounds or less at auction.

Watercolour of Oxford by the Victorian arbiter of taste benefits from attractive estimate.

Two large 18th century paintings of figures at the port of Antwerp drew plenty of comment when they went on display at the South Cerney saleroom of Dominic Winter in the run-up to its July 21 sale.

Artist’s huge and intrictately detailed watercolours depict famous capital landmarks

One of the highest prices for a work by Sheila Fell (1931-79) came at Newcastle saleroom Anderson & Garland’s (25% buyer’s premium) latest Country House & Fine Interiors auction.

Scenes of rural life in the Outback are the most common subject of the prolific and highly inventive Australian painter Kevin ‘Pro’ Hart (1928-2006).

Among the works commanding decent interest at Christie’s Isabel Goldsmith sale this summer were handful of lots from the Modern British category.

Notable examples of Victorian art sell at Christie's as renowned collector downsizes

Pictures of old women from the fishing community of Newlyn are among the most prevalent works by Walter Langley (1852-1922).

Marks painting was also one of the highlights at auction where La Thangue sold at six figures

Among the lots catching bidders’ eyes in the last few months were a number of intriguing portraits that came up at sales in south-west England.

A small portrait of a woman that was pitched at £100-150 drew a bidding battle that carried it over 10 times estimate.

A collection of portraits from a descendant of the Hicks Beach family of Witcombe Park will be offered at Chorley’s on September 21-22.

A portrait of a young man once thought to be a self-portrait by the Milanese artist Andrea Solario (1460-1524) attracted keen enquiries ahead of sale.

Among a number of Old Master portraits on offer in Cambridge is a depiction of a gentleman that has been consigned from a private collection in Suffolk.