Art Market

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.

A woodcut by German Expressionist Max Pechstein (1881-1955) brought overseas interest to Kinghams (23% buyer’s premium) back on March 3-5.

Showing the growing sensitivity towards estimates in the Modern British market, a portrait by Sir Matthew Smith (1879-1959) that had been unsold at Halls last year did rather better when it was reoffered last month with a reduced pitch.

Two rare Edward Bawden (1903-89) prints showing Ives Farm in Great Bardfield drew interest in a Modern and Contemporary art sale.

Bright sunflowers and urban scene demonstrate different sides of the Mod Brit artist

Copies of royal portraits from across the centuries are something that always seems to catch the eye when you flick through (or scroll through) the reams of pictures listed in auction catalogues.

Arguably the most famous portraits of an English king are Hans Holbein the Younger’s (c.1497-1543) depictions of Henry VIII.

Perhaps the most famous 21st century image of Queen Elizabeth II is the photographic portrait taken by Canadian artist Chris Levine (b.1960) showing the monarch with her eyes closed.

London dealer in historic instruments also amassed paintings on a musical theme

Among recent sales with a lyrical element was Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Art & Music auction on April 6 in Oxford.

Negotiating the sometimes complex world of prints by the 17th century Dutch Master

Try original advertising artwork if you want to capture the atmosphere of an era.

Focus on 19th century works by continental European artists sold recently

Among the works by 19th century Italian artists generating interest at recent UK auctions was a landscape by Giovanni ‘Nino’ Costa (1826-1903).

A woodland scene by Hungarian painter Bertalan Pór (1880-1964) caught the eye of a number of bidders at a Cotswolds saleroom.

A Spanish picture that had been in the same family for at least the past 120 years was among the works bringing demand at Bonhams’ (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) latest sale of 19th Century and British Impressionist Art.