Latest News Articles by Alex Capon

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Dutch art dealer announces major Rembrandt portrait discovery

21 May 2018

A work bought by a dealer at a Christie’s Old Master day sale in London in December 2016, where it was catalogued as ‘circle of Rembrandt (1606-1669)’, has now been attributed to the hand of the master.

Rembrandt portrait

“You’re looking at a human being instead of an image of a person” – art dealer on how he made a spectacular Rembrandt discovery

18 May 2018

When art dealer Jan Six viewed a portrait at Christie’s catalogued as ‘circle of Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669)’ in 2016, he was convinced it was by the hand of the master. Two years on, it has now gone on view in Amsterdam with its attribution fully confirmed by scholars.

Boris Pasternak’s novel ‘Doctor Zhivago’

Forum Auctions to offer typescript for Boris Pasternak’s ‘Doctor Zhivago’

17 May 2018

An original typescript for Boris Pasternak’s most famous novel ‘Doctor Zhivago’ with handwritten corrections by the author has been consigned to Forum Auctions. It is estimated at £100,000-150,000 at the sale in London on May 31.

‘Nu couché (sur le côté gauche)’ by Amedeo Modigliani

Modigliani’s ‘Nu couché’ sold for $139m at Sotheby’s auction in New York

15 May 2018

The largest painting by ever made by Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) became the fourth most expensive work of art ever sold at auction in New York last night, but it still sold below estimate.

Mossgreen ‘won’t be the last’ until trust accounts compulsory

14 May 2018

The Auctioneers and Valuers Association (AVAA), a trade body representing Australian auction houses, has called for client accounts to become a compulsory legal requirement in the country.

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White-glove Rockefeller auction enters the record books

14 May 2018

The epic white-glove sale of the David and Peggy Rockefeller collection at Christie’s New York has established a new high for a single-owner auction.

‘Nymphéas en fleur’ by Claude Monet

10 European paintings that lit up the Rockefeller sale at Christie’s New York

09 May 2018

The evening sale of 19th and 20th century art from the collection of the David and Peggy Rockefeller collection posted a record for any single-owner auction.

Odalisque couchée aux magnolias by Henri Matisse

Rockefeller sale smashes record for single-owner auction at Christie’s New York

09 May 2018

The first part of Christie’s much-anticipated sale of the David and Peggy Rockefeller collection smashed the record for a single-owner auction in New York last night, setting records for Monet, Matisse and Delacroix in the process.

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Offshore hallmarks to be different to those used in UK, says council

07 May 2018

The British Hallmarking Council (BHC) has decided that hallmarks struck offshore by UK assay offices should be different to those applied in the UK.

Peter Paul Rubens, ‘Portrait of Clara Serena, the Artist's Daughter’

‘Copy’ of Rubens sold by Met Museum now offered at Christie’s after attribution upgraded

02 May 2018

A painting thought to be a copy of a Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) portrait when it was deaccessioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art will now be offered at Christie’s in London with a full attribution. It will carry an estimate of £3m-5m.

Mossgreen in Melbourne

BDO report hits out at Mossgreen management

30 April 2018

The administrator BDO’s report into the collapse of Mossgreen has recommended that the Australian auction house’s former management be investigated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) over possible criminal activities.

Juan de Zurbaran still life

Sotheby’s brokers sale of rare Juan de Zurbarán still life to National Gallery

27 April 2018

Sotheby’s has negotiated the private sale of a still life by Juan de Zurbarán (1620-1649) to the National Gallery, London.

How police tracked down suspects after rare coins stolen from American football star Rob Gronkowski

25 April 2018

Two suspects have been arrested in Massachusetts following a night-time break-in at the home of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Nu couché by Amedeo Modigliani

Sotheby’s unveil Modigliani’s largest painting ahead of New York auction – video

24 April 2018

The largest painting ever made by Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) has been unveiled by Sotheby’s ahead of its auction in New York next month. It is estimated in excess of $150m and will be the star lot at its Impressionist and Modern sale on May 14.

1787 New York Brasher Doubloon

‘First gold coin struck in the US’ changes hands in $5m deal

12 April 2018

One of seven known examples of ‘the first gold coin struck in the US’ – the 1787 New York Brasher Doubloon – has sold for more than $5m in a private deal.

Stewart Imber of Themed Garages

Automobilia from Stewart Imber’s Themed Garages offered at Cheffins’ auction

06 April 2018

Items from Themed Garages, a well known automobilia company that holds one of the most notable collections of motoring-related artefacts in the UK, will be offered at a Cheffins auction later this month.

Gerald Fenwicke Metcalfe design

Design for Albury war memorial makes £1500 at auction of former V&A director’s collection

05 April 2018

A watercolour design for a First World War memorial in the village of Albury in Surrey was among the works bringing demand at the auction of former V&A director Dr Alan Borg’s collection.

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Watercolours worked up into saleroom success

02 April 2018

Given current market conditions, watercolours can often be ‘the poor relation’ when it comes to mixed category picture sales. But examples benefitting from fine condition, colouring or execution, or a combination of these key factors, can lead to a very different outcome.

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Bidders board the Farnham omnibus

02 April 2018

A painting of Farnham High Street from 1794 by a little-known artist fetched a not-so-little £8500 at Woolley & Wallis.

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Why a sea view costs extra

02 April 2018

Marines and seascapes were a strong feature of Woolley & Wallis’ latest picture sale and, while there were plenty of affordable works on offer (see separate story), the sale was led by one of the larger works by a well-recognised name.