Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
London Old Master sales pass last year’s totals but continue to be slim affairs
12 December 2022The latest series of Old Master sales in London put in a decent if not stellar performance, aided by one or two notable lots and a couple of important collections coming forward to the auction block this season.
Hotung ‘jewel in the crown’ Degas proves precious at auction
12 December 2022The second tranche of the collection of Hong Kong property investor Sir Joseph Hotung (1930-2021) generated some strong competition at Sotheby’s in London with a number of high-value pictures, as well some exceptional pieces of furniture, ceramics and decorative art, on offer last week.
Moonlight spotlight: classic Atkinson Grimshaw
12 December 2022The last few months have been an interesting time for followers of John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-93).
Market conditions ideal if you want to move away from the ‘pale, male and stale’
12 December 2022The philanthropist, retired businessman and one-time Olympian bobsledder for Canada, Sir Christopher Ondaatje, chose a good time to sell a painting depicting a young 19th century black woman.
Family values of the Daniell duo
12 December 2022Group of works by the uncle and nephew attracts significant Indian bidder interest
Beckmann the German art auction record-breaker
05 December 2022A Max Beckmann (1884-1950) self-portrait set a record for any artwork sold at a German auction when it was knocked down at €20m (£17.1m).
Baer necessities held back from the main Essex sale
05 December 2022While the main paintings from the collection of dealer Sir Jack Baer and his wife Diana were sold at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) at the end of September (see ATG No 2564), a group of around 50 works on paper were held back and offered at the Stansted Mountfitchet saleroom’s latest Homes and Interiors online auction.
Bidders wide awake to the opportunity to own a Richmond
05 December 2022A small watercolour titled A Sleeping Wayfarer by George Richmond (1809-96) roused a few bidders into action when it was offered at auction.
Why provenance is so important when it comes to de Wint
05 December 2022A group of five watercolours by Peter de Wint (1784-1849) that were previously kept at a Grade II-listed Oxfordshire country house caught the eye at a recent sale.
Watercolours: The picturesque appeals but reality bites
05 December 2022British watercolours are reliant not just on subject matter but also on market freshness, condition and a good pitch
New Duncan Grant record for a ‘divisionist’ portrait of Vanessa Bell
28 November 2022Setting a major record for Duncan Grant (1885-1978) and equalling the highest price for any Bloomsbury Group picture, a painting depicting his fellow artist and close friend (and one-time lover) Vanessa Bell sold for £260,000 at Bonhams.
Is Small now hitting the big time?
28 November 2022When coming across a female artist who was once quite recognised but now is rather little known, buyers today automatically ask the question: ‘Is she undervalued?’
Compton climbs well above guide
28 November 2022Mountainous scenes by Edward Theodore Compton (1849-1921) make regular appearances at auctions in Germany and Austria, where he tended to paint and retains a strong collecting base, as well as in the UK.
A £24,000 bid leads the Lionel Edwards hunt
28 November 2022Among a number of sporting pictures generating decent interest at recent sales, this autumn Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium) posted the highest auction price for the hunting specialist Lionel Edwards (1878-1966) in over 12 years.
Georghiou watercolour emerges at Chiswick Auctions
28 November 2022George Pol Georghiou (1901-72) is a well-known name in his native Cyprus where his work can be found in many public collections.
Bidders battle to take tondo to 208-times top estimate
21 November 2022A small round drawing of the Madonna and Child created a stir at Ryedale Auctioneers in North Yorkshire.
Sculpture: Buyers thrill to 3D
21 November 2022Modern and Contemporary art collectors are increasingly willing to consider sculpture, creating a strong and dynamic market
Enwonwu figures highly at auction
21 November 2022In the last decade sculptures, as well as paintings, by Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu (1917-94) have become a valuable proposition.
Betjeman and Lowry immortalised in bronze
21 November 2022Two sculptures of well-known 20th century British cultural figures drew attention at different regional sales recently.
Beckmann self portrait at Grisebach could set German auction record
17 November 2022A Max Beckmann (1884-1950) self portrait is being offered at Grisebach in Berlin.