Old Masters

Traditionally this sector is defined as works by master painters working in Europe from before 1800. It includes Renaissance artists and Dutch Golden Age painters for example. Today Old Master auctions in London and New York will include works by British artists as well as some 19th century works.


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How a sensible pitch yields rewards for traditional pictures

01 April 2024

It’s wise to keep a lid on estimates for traditional pictures where condition and market freshness is lacking

Eucharist

Poussin’s Last Supper painting purchased by The National Gallery via Acceptance in Lieu deal

26 March 2024

The National Gallery has acquired 'Eucharist' (c.1637-40), a depiction of the Last Supper, by Nicolas Poussin (1594–1664).

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18th century friar portrait painted by female artist flies over estimate

25 March 2024

This 18th century pastel on paper portrait showing a young friar has many hallmarks of the work of the Venetian painter Rosalba Carriera (1675-1757).

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Panoramas pick up six-figure sums in Italy

25 March 2024

Two titled topographical views by a journeyman 18th century Venetian artist excelled at the Old Masters and 19th Century Paintings sale at Wannenes (35% buyer’s premium) in Genoa.

The Weavers by Arthur William Devis

Weavers work their auction magic for 18th century picture

18 March 2024

A rare picture painted in India by Arthur William Devis (1762-1822) depicting a group of Bengali weavers was the subject of dramatic competition at Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) spring fine art and antiques sale.

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Regency beauties: New York auction offers pair of Lawrence portraits

11 March 2024

Two portraits of Regency beauties by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) come for sale at Cottone Auctions in Geneso, New York, on March 20. Both come by descent from by the Buffalo industrialist Colonel Charles Clifton (1853-1928) who paid huge sums for them in the early 1920s.

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Dealer 'Dick' Turpin's fine art exemplifies his eclectic taste

11 March 2024

Although the late antiques dealer Maurice ‘Dick’ Turpin (1928-2005) may have been better known for his expertise in furniture and works of art, he also had an eye for a painting.

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Eye on an object: a portrait by Michael Dahl

11 March 2024

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

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Five questions: Old Master dealer Flavio Gianassi

04 March 2024

Flavio Gianassi of FG Fine Art specialises in Italian Old Master paintings and is among the dealers standing at the TEFAF Maastricht Showcase this year

The Adoration of the Magi panel

Early 16th century Flemish triptych emerges at Guernsey auction

28 February 2024

A religious painting believed to date from the first half of the 16th century will be offered at Guernsey saleroom Martel Maides Auctions next month.

Thomas Daniell picture

Pick of the week: Daniells artwork is the Shore thing

26 February 2024

It is a good time to be selling works by Thomas Daniell (1749-1840).

London Art Week

Drawing foundation Trois Crayons links up with London Art Week

24 February 2024

New partnership aims to boost London as a centre for Old Master drawings

Hubert Robert pipe-clay dish

Hubert Robert's range on show at Old Master sales

19 February 2024

Both Sotheby’s and Christie’s offered notable works by French artist Hubert Robert (1733-1808) at the latest Old Master auction series in New York.

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Old Masters: Supply lines come under strain

19 February 2024

Market shows strength only for select works as sourcing high-quality material proves inceasingly difficult

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UK dealers happy with ‘buzzy’ New York drawings fair

19 February 2024

Running for the first time under new ownership Master Drawings New York (MDNY) produced strong results for many of its exhibitors, including London dealer Guy Peppiatt.

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun self portrait

Sotheby's sets record for a work on paper by a female Old Master

14 February 2024

Some of the strongest demand at the latest Old Master auctions in New York came among the works on paper sales.

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St Roch rises miraculously among New York lots

12 February 2024

A Venetian Old Master painting of St Roch attributed to the circle of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696- 1770) awoke from the slumber of a $600-900 estimate to hammer for $75,000 (£59,000).

Van Dyck self portrait

Mixed fortunes for rediscovered Rubens and van Dyck self portraits in New York auction

02 February 2024

Two recent art market discoveries, both self-portraits by titans of 17th century British art, met contrasting fortunes in New York.

JMW Turner drawing

Pick of the week: The ‘engraving’ that bidders discovered was a JMW Turner drawing

29 January 2024

A somewhat innocuous-looking lot at Hansons (26% buyer’s premium) proved to be anything but as a number of eagle-eyed bidders spotted a significant discovery contained therein.

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Allan Ramsay the royal favourite

29 January 2024

The precise and sensitive portraiture of Allan Ramsay (1713-84) earned him widespread acclaim, aided by his prodigious intellect and social flair.

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