Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
‘Belfast Boy’ O’Neill shines in summertime
09 November 2020Works by Daniel O’Neill (1920-74) are a common sight at auction, mostly paintings of mysterious female figures in unspecified landscapes.
Traquair takes the attention at Bonhams
09 November 2020A group of 33 lots that came to auction from a descendant of the artist Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852-1936) drew a strong response at Bonhams’ (27.5/25/20/13.9%) latest Scottish sale in Edinburgh.
Iona in oil and watercolour
09 November 2020Two Scottish coastal pictures attracted multiple bidders at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium) latest Art & Design sale.
Architect’s apprentice McGhie built an artistic legacy
09 November 2020Two trademark scenes by Scottish artist John McGhie (1867-1952) impressed at Great Western Auctions (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow.
Imps & Mods sales are slimmer affairs but with high selling rates
02 November 2020The latest evening sales of Impressionist & Modern and Contemporary art held at Sotheby’s (25/20/13.9 buyer’s premium + 1% overhead premium) in New York produced very high-selling rates but they were somewhat slimmer affairs than the normal run of sales in this category.
Rare racehorse pictures given a sporting chance
02 November 2020Early depictions of some of the most famous racehorses of their day lead the field
Squirrell catches the eye in Essex and Cambridge auctions
02 November 2020Leonard Squirrell (1893-1979) is most associated with East Anglia, producing a significant body of rural scenes of Suffolk and Norfolk as well as cityscapes of Norwich and Ipswich.
Rothschilds – a rich source of works
26 October 2020Latest group of Exbury House paintings from ‘the great collectors’ lives up to the billing
Frink family collection creates thrill at Woolley & Wallis auction
26 October 2020While Old Masters were dominating proceedings at Woolley & Wallis’ early September sale, a fortnight earlier it was Modern British art that was turning heads in Salisbury.
Auction record for Shakespeare’s ‘First Folio’ as book dealer bids $8.4m at Christie’s
16 October 2020An ‘original and complete’ copy of William Shakespeare’s First Folio of plays set an auction record at Christie's latest 'Exceptional' sale in New York.
Collection of restorer and friend to artists Gigi Richter sells in Cambridge
12 October 2020A collection of pictures and letters by Modern British artists drew solid interest at the latest Cheffins (22.5% buyer’s premium) Art & Design sale in Cambridge.
Bawden works with personal touch consigned to Sworders
12 October 2020A group of works by Edward Bawden (1903-89) will be offered at Sworders’ Modern British & 20th Century Art sale in Stansted Mountfitchet on October 20.
William Ratcliffe's Camden Town painting comes to Lyon & Turnbull
12 October 2020A fine example of a work by a member of the Camden Town group will be offered at Lyon & Turnbull’s Modern Made sale in London on October 23.
Modern British Art: a market benefitting from changing tastes
12 October 2020The Modern British art sector is now one of the most vibrant in the market and represent a good slice of business for both auction houses and dealers
Wildlife sculptures burst into sale life
12 October 2020A number of wildlife sculptures, a niche sub-set of the Mod Brit art market, have performed well recently – perhaps as a result of the increased love of the natural world experienced by many during the lockdown crossing over into the art market.
Dod and Gluck stand out in Penzance
12 October 2020Works by two Modern British female artists whose stars have been rising commercially over recent years topped the bill at the latest fine art sale held at David Lay (18% buyer’s premium).
Marquess heads back to ancestral home from US
05 October 2020A portrait of George Gordon, 2nd Marquess of Huntly, catalogued as in the ‘manner of Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641)’ was offered as the opening lot of a sale held by Sarasota Estate Auction (20% buyer’s premium) in the US.
Hard yards measure up for success
05 October 2020Challenging times mean lots of extra legwork – but London sale shows how it can be rewarded.
Affordable art: Three works sold for under £1000 including a Tom Scott watercolour
05 October 2020Three modestly valued works selling at regional sales including a Tom Scott watercolour.
Mystery man in pastel makes bidding lively
05 October 2020On the same day as Chiswick Auctions’ British & European Fine Art auction (see main report), a sale of Old Master Paintings & Drawings took place immediately beforehand. Comprising nearly 50 lots, it totalled £102,500 including buyer’s premium.