Art Market

Glamorous portraits of wealthy women such as Lady Northcliffe command the highest prices

One of the most notable harbour scenes ever to emerge by the Victorian artist William Mitchell (1823-1900) of Maryport was among the lots bringing interest at a recent Mitchells sale.

A romanticised view of Venice by Austrian painter Franz Richard Unterberger (1838-1902) led the latest fine art sale staged by Cambridge saleroom Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium).

Thomas Sandby’s (1721-98) architectural drawings are significant part of the artist’s oeuvre.

Two fresh-to-the-market watercolours with appealing subjects by major names in the Modern British market, perhaps understandably, drew attention at Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) latest specialist sale in this category.

The market for drawings and watercolours, both modern and traditional, has long been regarded as delicate ground – sensitive towards estimates, market freshness and condition.

A good number of lots offered at Great Western Auctions (24% buyer’s premium) on June 17-18 demonstrated the demand that can emerge for works on paper pitched at attractive levels.

For collectors on a budget, works on paper can provide a more accessible route to acquiring works by key artists.

Among the 20th century works on paper generating demand at regional sales in the last few months was a Keith Vaughan (1912-77) study of a group of bathers.

Compared to oil paintings and watercolours, drawings by the Scottish Colourists seem to appear less often at auction.

The 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.

A 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.

Recent biography, major show and strong auction prices suggest younger Nash is on the rise.

Demand continues to grow for works by Modern British artist Ruth Doggett (1881-1974) after her auction record was broken twice in the same auction.

The 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.

Strong prices do not always have to be seven, six or even five figure sums.

A 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).

Horror and fantasy novelist went from buying comic art to modern European purchases.

Another artist for whom a plentiful supply of works is available is Northern painter Arthur Delaney (1927-87).

A 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.