Art Market

Hugely popular in the Edwardian era, Louis Wain’s (1869-1939) anthropomorphic cats continue to charm a 21st century audience.

A notable feature of the latest Welsh sale at Rogers Jones (24% buyer’s premium) in Cardiff was the level of interest from the US.

Underlining the growing demand for David Bomberg (1890-1957) over recent years, a work on paper titled ‘The Tent Family’ recently appeared at auction for the third time in 10 years, selling for a greater amount on each occasion.

Large views of the British countryside, garden paintings and botanical studies are the most popular works when it comes to Somerset-born Alfred Parsons (1847-1920).

Due to the nature of dealing in multiples, where direct price precedents are available, prints are sometimes regarded as the most predictable area of the art market.

The exceptional provenance of a trademark Alfred Wallis (1855-1942) painting gave it a commercial boost when it appeared at Lay’s (21% buyer’s premium) latest sale of Cornish Art in Penzance.

If close personal connections between artist and sitter can raise the value of a portrait, then you might expect a picture by a celebrated artist of his mother to do rather well when offered on the market.

A portrait of the artist Laura Knight (1874-1970) by her husband Harold Knight (1874-1961) sounds like the kind of work always likely to generate interest at auction. And this is especially so if it happens to be previously unrecorded and offered with an inviting estimate.

Artistically and commercially, John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) is a giant that straddles the Atlantic.

The young Mary Elizabeth Hall (1908-69) was probably not the easiest sitter.

While not as lucrative as the ‘select’ first tranche, part two of the Brian Whitton collection of works by John Tunnard (1900-71) at Newcastle saleroom Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium) nevertheless demonstrated a breadth of interest in pictures from across the artist’s career.

A work on paper by Italian Baroque artist Pier Francesco Mola (1612-66) was among the lots bringing demand at Christie’s sale of works from London dealer Stephen Ongpin.

A previously unrecorded painting by Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823) that “slipped through the net of all scholars” led the latest fine art sale held by Cambridge saleroom Cheffins (25% buyer’s premium).