Art Market

A couple of elegant portraits from the collection of Professor Bernard Nevill (1930-2019) drew keen interest at Bellmans (22% buyer’s premium).

A number of portraits of women from different periods of history were among the most contested pictures at sales around the country in the early part of this year.

Local appeal propelled a naïve painting of Farnham to 40-times its top estimate at Parker Fine Art Auctions’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest sale.

The Kent artist William Stephen Tomkin (1861-1940) is best known as a proficient watercolour painter of marine subjects and a draughtsman who worked for General August Pitt Rivers (of Oxford museum fame) between 1882-90.

Although an artist may not have wide recognition, strong local links can compensate

Two works formerly owned by American actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr (1909-2000) drew dramatic competition at a dedicated sale of his collection.

A work by the prolific Helen Bradley (1900-79) drew interest at the latest Northern Art sale held by Wilson55 (22% buyer’s premium) in Nantwich, Cheshire.

Group of 18 lots sets a new level of demand and prices as recent trends drive strong interest

After producing some of the most famous images of the Second World War, Paul Nash (1889-1946) began to focus on more pleasant landscapes.

Refurbishment of the East Anglian art school’s former home and an exhibition could push prices up

Prices for Tirzah Garwood (1908-51) continue to rise.

Christie’s was first off the mark in terms of releasing details of upcoming lots at this summer’s Old Masters auction series in London. Last week it announced two important consignments from the collection of Cecil and Hilda Lewis.

An unfinished portrait attributed to Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) led the inaugural sale held by Sloane Street Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in London.

A portrait of a young woman which was previously attributed to Angelica Kauffman drew bidding at Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium) after being reattributed to George Romney (1734-1802).

A lively 17th century painting showing people in a Flemish tavern, drinking, smoking and playing cards with a man playing the bagpipes will be among the lots at Bellmans’ Old Master & 19th Century Paintings auction in Wisborough Green, West Sussex, on March 29.

Among the Old Masters in Roseberys’ sale on March 22 is this painting depicting a view of Venice by Jacopo Fabris (1689-1761). It shows the Fondaco dei Turchi, a palazzo on the Grand Canal.

Emerging artists and those out of the limelight become popular as buyers look for new names

An example of the work of northern artist Norman Cornish (1919-2014) appeared down south at Canterbury Auction Galleries (22.5% buyer’s premium).

Early works by Harold Knight (1874-1961) are not seen very often at auction but a group of six appeared at Mellors & Kirk of Nottingham at the end of last year.

Works also sold in Penzance but not for six figures help to understand this market