Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Grand Tourists who got serious
20 June 2022The term ‘Grand Tour picture’ is somewhat amorphous. It is mostly used to refer to 18th century and 19th century works purchased by wealthy young gentleman on their travels around Europe, particularly in Italy, as they ‘completed’ their education.
Lesser names become estimate-busters in Somerset sale
20 June 2022Strong prices do not always have to be seven, six or even five figure sums.
Pick of the week: The £80,000 picture before Bellany went off the railings
13 June 2022Works by John Bellany (1942-2013) abound at auction, with at least 2000 pictures sold in the last 10 years.
Author closes a collecting chapter
13 June 2022Horror and fantasy novelist went from buying comic art to modern European purchases.
Fletcher goes with the Thames flow
13 June 2022A late Victorian oil on canvas depicting steam ships on the Thames at Wapping drew a protracted bidding battle at Ramsay Cornish’s (20% buyer’s premium) recent Homes & Interiors auction in Edinburgh.
North west by Northern painter Delaney
13 June 2022Another artist for whom a plentiful supply of works is available is Northern painter Arthur Delaney (1927-87).
Pechstein exhibits his primitive appeal
13 June 2022A woodcut by German Expressionist Max Pechstein (1881-1955) brought overseas interest to Kinghams (23% buyer’s premium) back on March 3-5.
Nicholson still-life goes to dealer Richard Green
06 June 2022London dealer Richard Green was the successful bidder on a Sir William Nicholson (1872- 1949) still-life sold for £440,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium).
Bawden and wider Great Bardfield interest
06 June 2022Two rare Edward Bawden (1903-89) prints showing Ives Farm in Great Bardfield drew interest in a Modern and Contemporary art sale.
Sir Matthew Smith work sold at second attempt
06 June 2022Showing the growing sensitivity towards estimates in the Modern British market, a portrait by Sir Matthew Smith (1879-1959) that had been unsold at Halls last year did rather better when it was reoffered last month with a reduced pitch.
John Bratby, the pretty and the gritty
06 June 2022Bright sunflowers and urban scene demonstrate different sides of the Mod Brit artist
Her Majesty has a moment of reflection
30 May 2022Perhaps the most famous 21st century image of Queen Elizabeth II is the photographic portrait taken by Canadian artist Chris Levine (b.1960) showing the monarch with her eyes closed.
First Freda then Thelma and Wallis for Edward VIII
30 May 2022“It is quite pathetic to see the Prince and Freda. His love is so obvious and undisguisable.”
Portrait copies of English kings and queens can be valuable at auction in their own right
30 May 2022Copies of royal portraits from across the centuries are something that always seems to catch the eye when you flick through (or scroll through) the reams of pictures listed in auction catalogues.
Holbein’s Henry in a hat covered afresh
30 May 2022Arguably the most famous portraits of an English king are Hans Holbein the Younger’s (c.1497-1543) depictions of Henry VIII.
Sotheby’s to offer major English collection this summer
25 May 2022An important English collection of Impressionist pictures, silver and furniture will be auctioned across eight different sales at Sotheby’s this summer.
Michelangelo discovery brings €20m at Christie’s in Paris
23 May 2022One of only a small number of drawings by Michelangelo still remaining in private hands sold for €20m (£16.9m) at Christie’s Paris last week.
Officer portrayed by little-known artist plays his part
23 May 2022Among recent sales with a lyrical element was Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Art & Music auction on April 6 in Oxford.
New York sales underline market strength
23 May 2022Underlining the recovery of the post-covid art market, at the very top-end at least, the latest series of 20th and 21st century auctions in New York posted a record total for a flagship auction fortnight.
Art market: Bingham collection ends on a high note
23 May 2022London dealer in historic instruments also amassed paintings on a musical theme