Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Constable’s tree sketch triples estimate at auction
19 December 2022A small drawing by John Constable of a tree in his birthplace of East Bergholt sold for a triple-estimate £31,000 (plus 22% buyer’s premium).
Ithell Colquhoun clinches a huge price
19 December 2022Female artist at centre of early British Surrealism scene now fetches sizeable sums
Bumper selection of fourteen Bombergs offered
19 December 2022One of the most eyecatching consignments of Modern British art outside London was a private collection of 14 paintings by David Bomberg (1890-1957).
Roadmenders work surfaces outside London
19 December 2022A small and recently discovered painting by Peter Lanyon (1918-64) emerged at Kinghams’ (23% buyer’s premium).
Cass couple’s varied 20th century works provide boost to Bellmans
19 December 2022A group of 24 works from the collection of Wilfred and Jeannette Cass provided a boost to Bellmans’ (22% buyer’s premium) latest Modern British and 20th Century Art auction.
Sitter dubbed a ‘knight who looks like a postboy’
19 December 2022William Nicholson (1872-1949) is known today for restrained and sensitively handled still-lifes but in his day he found more success with his portraits.
Wynter’s wonderland lifts Knightsbridge sale
19 December 2022An abstract painting by Bryan Wynter (1915-75) was discovered a stone’s throw from Knightsbridge auction house Kings Russell (28% buyer’s premium).
London Old Master sales pass last year’s totals but continue to be slim affairs
12 December 2022The latest series of Old Master sales in London put in a decent if not stellar performance, aided by one or two notable lots and a couple of important collections coming forward to the auction block this season.
Hotung ‘jewel in the crown’ Degas proves precious at auction
12 December 2022The second tranche of the collection of Hong Kong property investor Sir Joseph Hotung (1930-2021) generated some strong competition at Sotheby’s in London with a number of high-value pictures, as well some exceptional pieces of furniture, ceramics and decorative art, on offer last week.
Family values of the Daniell duo
12 December 2022Group of works by the uncle and nephew attracts significant Indian bidder interest
Market conditions ideal if you want to move away from the ‘pale, male and stale’
12 December 2022The philanthropist, retired businessman and one-time Olympian bobsledder for Canada, Sir Christopher Ondaatje, chose a good time to sell a painting depicting a young 19th century black woman.
Moonlight spotlight: classic Atkinson Grimshaw
12 December 2022The last few months have been an interesting time for followers of John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-93).
Beckmann the German art auction record-breaker
05 December 2022A Max Beckmann (1884-1950) self-portrait set a record for any artwork sold at a German auction when it was knocked down at €20m (£17.1m).
Watercolours: The picturesque appeals but reality bites
05 December 2022British watercolours are reliant not just on subject matter but also on market freshness, condition and a good pitch
Baer necessities held back from the main Essex sale
05 December 2022While the main paintings from the collection of dealer Sir Jack Baer and his wife Diana were sold at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) at the end of September (see ATG No 2564), a group of around 50 works on paper were held back and offered at the Stansted Mountfitchet saleroom’s latest Homes and Interiors online auction.
Why provenance is so important when it comes to de Wint
05 December 2022A group of five watercolours by Peter de Wint (1784-1849) that were previously kept at a Grade II-listed Oxfordshire country house caught the eye at a recent sale.
Bidders wide awake to the opportunity to own a Richmond
05 December 2022A small watercolour titled A Sleeping Wayfarer by George Richmond (1809-96) roused a few bidders into action when it was offered at auction.
New Duncan Grant record for a ‘divisionist’ portrait of Vanessa Bell
28 November 2022Setting a major record for Duncan Grant (1885-1978) and equalling the highest price for any Bloomsbury Group picture, a painting depicting his fellow artist and close friend (and one-time lover) Vanessa Bell sold for £260,000 at Bonhams.
Is Small now hitting the big time?
28 November 2022When coming across a female artist who was once quite recognised but now is rather little known, buyers today automatically ask the question: ‘Is she undervalued?’
A £24,000 bid leads the Lionel Edwards hunt
28 November 2022Among a number of sporting pictures generating decent interest at recent sales, this autumn Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium) posted the highest auction price for the hunting specialist Lionel Edwards (1878-1966) in over 12 years.