Fine Art

Standing by the stairs of a modest Cumbrian seaside home, a pair of 19th century treen figures dominated the sale, both physically and in price terms, at 1818 Auctions (20% buyer’s premium inc VAT) at Milnthorpe on June 6.

The panther is a big cat much favoured by sculptors – not only the animaliers but also those who searched for a stylishly sleek motif during the early 20th century, where it can be seen depicted on screens and vases as well as in the round.

Until its conversion into a pizzeria and cocktail bar three years ago, The Spread Eagle pub in Greenwich had hardly changed since its origins as a 17th century coaching inn.

It is tempting to write off 19th century pictures as passé. A field relegated to the dusty corners of the art market, while contemporary art reigns supreme.

Karen Taylor Fine Art’s exhibition of British drawings, watercolours and oils takes place from 30 June-July 7 at Illustrationcupboard Gallery in St James’s.

More 19th century pictures will go under the hammer this summer at auction houses in London. Christie’s dedicated sale in King Street on July 13 is led by a collection of 46 Orientalist works.

An exhibition of the photographs of Marilyn Stafford travelled from Lucy Bell Fine Art in East Sussex last weekend to reopen in London’s Art Bermondsey Project Space on Tuesday, June 27.

Consigned from a deceased estate, a 19th century oil of a popular Venetian view topped Mitchells’ (20% buyer’s premium) June 1 auction in Cockermouth, Cumbria.

Walter Leblanc’s (1932-86) paintings and sculptures create illusions of movement through the manipulation of unconventional media. Originally from Antwerp, Leblanc started exhibiting with the ZERO movement in the early 1960s.

More than 600 people crowded into Clark Art in Cheshire on June 15 for the opening night of its annual exhibition on northern English painting.

An enticingly estimated drawing by the 17th century English court portraitist Sir Peter Lely offered for sale in a French provincial auction drew a flurry of attention from English trade and private bidders last week. It was propelled to over 20-times its estimate.

London Art Week kicks off a host of events on June 30. Based in Mayfair and St James’s, LAW brings together more than 40 galleries as well as three auction houses in a celebration of historic painting, sculpture and drawing.