Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Indian art showcase becomes Bonhams' latest cross-departmental auction
04 July 2022The latest themed sale at Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) was an auction titled India in Art, offering a mix of pictures and objects relating to the subcontinent.
Was this the work of Wilkie?
04 July 2022A study of a figure wearing a robe and turban drew a fierce bidding battle at Eldreds (25% buyer’s premium) in Plymouth at the end of last month.
Previews: issue 2550
04 July 2022A selection of 14 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
Francis Bacon portrait of Lucian Freud leads London sales at £37.5m
01 July 2022A Francis Bacon portrait of his friend and fellow artist Lucian Freud topped the latest series of Modern and Contemporary auctions in London.
Unique wooden sculpture sets auction record for Barbara Hepworth at Christie’s
30 June 2022A series of high sums for works in different media by Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-75) demonstrated the steadily growing appetite and prices for the artist.
From Sir William Nicholson to his sister
27 June 2022This small early work by Sir William Nicholson (1872-1949) titled The Dandelion Field is one of three paintings by the artist being offered at Grand Auctions in Folkestone.
Three William Nicholson paintings emerge at Kent auction
23 June 2022This small and early painting by Sir William Nicholson (1872-1949) titled ‘The Dandelion Field’ is one of three works by the artist being offered at Grand Auctions in Folkestone, Kent.
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.
Fitzgerald: it’s a family affair
20 June 2022A group of 39 lots at Dreweatts’ latest Old Master, British and European Art sale on May 26 came from a descendant of the artist John Anster Fitzgerald (1832-1906).
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
John Bratby, the pretty and the gritty
06 June 2022Bright sunflowers and urban scene demonstrate different sides of the Mod Brit artist
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.