Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Ceri Richards shows his personal side
02 January 2023Despite a few surprises among the lots at Rogers Jones’ (24% buyer’s premium) third and final Welsh Sale of 2022, the solid performance of at least one of the leading pictures was probably more expected.
Sitter appeal: Portraits from Victorian sportsman to 20th century businessman bring demand
02 January 2023The record-setting piece of Beswick pottery at a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) – a rare variant of a shire horse model that fetched £11,300 (ATG No 2569) – was not the only lot bringing notable demand.
Five top artworks sold at auctions outside London this year
28 December 2022The top lots sold at regional salerooms in 2022 included a number of works by leading Modern British artists. Here we pick out five of the best results which were covered in ATG.
Brotherly love: Jacobean double portrait attracts interest in Newbury auction
19 December 2022An unusual subject and composition helped propel interest in a Jacobean double portrait of two young brothers at Dreweatts’ latest Old Master, British and European Art sale.
Constable’s tree sketch triples estimate at auction
19 December 2022A small drawing by John Constable of a tree in his birthplace of East Bergholt sold for a triple-estimate £31,000 (plus 22% buyer’s premium).
Ithell Colquhoun clinches a huge price
19 December 2022Female artist at centre of early British Surrealism scene now fetches sizeable sums
Bumper selection of fourteen Bombergs offered
19 December 2022One of the most eyecatching consignments of Modern British art outside London was a private collection of 14 paintings by David Bomberg (1890-1957).
Roadmenders work surfaces outside London
19 December 2022A small and recently discovered painting by Peter Lanyon (1918-64) emerged at Kinghams’ (23% buyer’s premium).
Cass couple’s varied 20th century works provide boost to Bellmans
19 December 2022A group of 24 works from the collection of Wilfred and Jeannette Cass provided a boost to Bellmans’ (22% buyer’s premium) latest Modern British and 20th Century Art auction.
Sitter dubbed a ‘knight who looks like a postboy’
19 December 2022William Nicholson (1872-1949) is known today for restrained and sensitively handled still-lifes but in his day he found more success with his portraits.
Wynter’s wonderland lifts Knightsbridge sale
19 December 2022An abstract painting by Bryan Wynter (1915-75) was discovered a stone’s throw from Knightsbridge auction house Kings Russell (28% buyer’s premium).
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.
Family values of the Daniell duo
12 December 2022Group of works by the uncle and nephew attracts significant Indian bidder interest
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.
Moonlight spotlight: classic Atkinson Grimshaw
12 December 2022The last few months have been an interesting time for followers of John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-93).
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).
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
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.
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.