Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Five top Old Masters sold at auction in 2020
28 December 2020Despite the obvious challenges with coronavirus this year, some notable sales still occurred in the Old Master market. Here we pick out five highlights from across the year.
Supply hits Old Masters auction series
21 December 2020The traditional pre-Christmas Old Masters auctions in London were something of a mixed bag this year.
Austrian artist’s rare auction appearance
21 December 2020A group of works by the elusive Austrian émigré artist Marie-Louise von Motesiczky (1906-96) made a rare appearance at Chiswick Auctions’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest British & European Fine Art sale.
Provenance under discussion at International Catalogue Raisonné Association’s second annual conference
17 December 2020Over 200 delegates from 15 countries tuned in for The International Catalogue Raisonné Association’s second annual conference with the topic under discussion being provenance.
Bonhams' Mod Brit sale bids welcome to the latest trends
14 December 2020Something of a recurring theme at auctions this year has been the increasing volume of bidders registering for sales during the pandemic.
Two works by William Roberts underline commercial values at Bonhams
14 December 2020The market for William Roberts (1895- 1980) has expanded significantly in the last two decades and the performance of two small watercolours at Bonhams suggested demand is still healthy.
Pictures set a university challenge
07 December 2020London dealer takes up task of identifying artist behind views ‘of Oxford and Cambridge’.
Scarborough selection consigned by a familiar face
07 December 2020A notable group of pictures from a local vendor gave a boost to the Autumn Art Sale held by David Duggleby (20% buyer’s premium) in Scarborough.
Churchill oil proves the toast of Modern British art sales this season
30 November 2020A total of £9.23m was raised from the latest dedicated sales of Modern British art at Sotheby’s and Bonhams in London.
Bidding for Ravilious wood engraving underlines demand for leading Mod Brit names
30 November 2020As time goes by, an almost imperceptible process seems to take place in the art market where certain artists who were once considered avant garde begin to feel like established names.
Cedric Morris' view of Morocco among Mod Brit highlights at Lyon & Turnbull
30 November 2020A number of notable Modern British pictures came to the auction block at Lyon & Turnbull (25% buyer’s premium) last month.
Beaton’s male dancer attracts attention in Cheltenham
30 November 2020Back in May, Bonhams sold 22 pen and ink drawings by Cecil Beaton (1904-80).
Missed in London, Constable sketch of Dedham Vale authenticated in Essex
23 November 2020Sworders is offering an oil sketch of the Suffolk countryside by John Constable (1776-1837) which was previously dismissed as a copy by a leading London auction house.
Ornithological watercolour ordered by brother of Louis XIII is highest Parker Fine Art saleroom price so far
23 November 2020The highest price to date at Parker Fine Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) came at its latest Fine Paintings sale when a rare ornithological watercolour caught the eye of a number of bidders, including from abroad.
The web shop window: 18th century leopard painting
23 November 2020Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.
Picasso’s agony and ecstasy…and the calm of a back garden
23 November 2020Offered with moderate estimates, two Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) etchings from the Vollard Suite drew demand at the recent timed online sale of Modern & Contemporary art at Halls (20% buyer’s premium).
Affordable art: Three works sold for under £600 including a Daniel Sherrin landscape
23 November 2020Three modestly valued works selling at regional sales including a Daniel Sherrin landscape.
Winston Churchill whisky painting brings bidding battle at Sotheby’s
20 November 2020A still life by Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) which included his tipple of choice, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, sold at Sotheby’s this week for £800,000.
John Constable landscape emerges at Sworders after being dismissed as a copy by another London auctioneer
17 November 2020Sworders is offering an oil sketch of the Suffolk countryside by John Constable (1776-1837). It will be offered for sale on December 8-9, estimated at £100,000-150,000.
Buyer's premium rises at Bonhams and Phillips
16 November 2020Auction houses Bonhams and Phillips have both increased their buyer's premium.