Watercolours

A painting method that employs pigment suspended in a water-based solution, usually applied onto paper.

Though its earliest origins are thought to be prehistoric, its history is usually dated from the Renaissance, when it was used by artists such as Albrecht Durer.

While it may be used as for the creation of preparatory studies, it is also an art form in its own right, and is a technique used for botanical illustration, wildlife illustration and topographical painting as well as traditional genres, particularly landscape.


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Auction record for Helen Allingham set in Malvern auction

07 August 2023

Thoughts that the sweet homely watercolours of Helen Allingham (1848-1926) have fallen from favour commercially may be premature, at least judging by the performance of a couple of works sold at a recent regional sale.

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News in brief including a JMW Turner watercolour of Chepstow Castle returning home

07 August 2023

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including an early watercolour by JMW Turner (1775-1851) returning to Chepstow after fundraising by local museums.

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Fedden and Wain show feline fancy

07 August 2023

A couple of cat pictures made bidders’ whiskers twitch of late.

Edmund Edgar miniature

Australian demand lifts Edmund Edgar miniature to five times estimate in Oxford auction

27 July 2023

Edmund Edgar (c.1804-54) worked as a house painter, engraver and lithographer in London. And life may have stayed that way had he not been apprehended by a constable in Lisson Grove, Marylebone on the morning of September 12, 1825, in possession of a bag of silver, watches, jewellery and fine linen.

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Ben Nevis takes artist back to highs

24 July 2023

Like his father of the same name, Thomas Miles Richardson Jnr (1813-90) began his career in Newcastle but he moved to London in 1846.

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Album revealing roots of Kew gardens is on export hold

24 July 2023

A group of drawings which helped develop the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew have been temporarily blocked from export in the hope a UK buyer can step in.

Giacometti chandelier

UK buyers sought for Giacometti bronze chandelier and 18th-century botanical drawings

18 July 2023

A Giacometti chandelier and drawings which helped develop Kew Gardens have been blocked from export in the hope a UK institution will raise funding.

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Sumptuous work by the Shaykh

17 July 2023

Album of watercolours by mysterious but talented Indian artist takes £90,000 at Scottish saleroom

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Two hundred years of the Cotmans celebrated as a single collection

10 July 2023

Family group at auction offered works by several generations including the renowned John Sell Cotman

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Caton Woodville hits new high

03 July 2023

Painting of an Indian Mutiny scene smashes the record thanks to bidding from the sub-continent

Finchley watercolour by JMW Turner

JMW Turner view of Finchley among five lots to watch this week

19 June 2023

With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

Emma Rutherford

Dealer Emma Rutherford launches portrait miniatures company

12 June 2023

Portrait miniature specialist Emma Rutherford has launched her own firm after 15 years working with Philip Mould & Company.

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JS spells out work of portrait miniature master John Smart

12 June 2023

Although catalogued simply as an 18th century English School miniature, this portrait of an Indian prince is discretely signed and dated JS 1793.

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Private bidders go sleeper spotting

12 June 2023

Dealers are now facing more competition from collectors as works estimated in the hundreds of pounds range are taken to four-figure prices

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William Crotch covered in St James’s show

15 May 2023

This view of Wadham College, Oxford, by William Crotch (1775-1847) is the first and earliest in a catalogue of his works on show at Guy Peppiatt Fine Art.

John Smart miniature

Portrait miniature sleeper stars in our pick of five auction highlights

12 May 2023

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a portrait miniature that sold for 160-times estimate after bidders identified it as an Indian prince by the great John Smart.

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Norman Hartnell designs for a princess emerge at Richard Winterton

01 May 2023

A group of signed drawings by royal fashion designer Norman Hartnell (1901-79) was offered at Richard Winterton (22% buyer’s premium) on February 15.

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Queen Victoria watercolours snapped up by royal trust

01 May 2023

A sketch book filled with drawings by Queen Victoria will be joining more than 4000 pieces of her art at the Royal Collection Trust.

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Turner and Wilkie turn up at auction

01 May 2023

Drawing four phone bidders plus online, a rediscovered early watercolour of Chepstow Castle by JMW Turner (1775-1851) led Cheffins’ latest fine art sale.

Agnews expands base with works on paper in Brussels

10 April 2023

Agnews has launched a new works-on-paper business in Brussels.

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