Fine Art

Paintings of youngsters prove popular but provide a looser, less formal and spontaneous appeal

Works by Modern British artists dominated the latest series of Modern and Contemporary art auctions in London.

A rare drawing by Matthias Buchinger (1674-1740), the remarkable 18th-century German artist born without hands or feet, is going under the hammer at Cheffins on March 25 estimated at £1000-1500.

The Oscar Wilde Collection formed over 60 years by bibliophile and former dealer in Oriental antiques Jeremy Mason prompted collectors to come out in force and was 100% sold at Bonhams (28/27% buyer’s premium) in Knightsbridge.

Among a selection of 19th and early 20th century pictures at Anderson & Garland’s (25% buyer’s premium) latest Fine Art Auction was an attractive painting by Elizabeth Adela Forbes (1859-1912).

Modern and Contemporary dealer Elspeth Bray of Moncrieff-Bray took a gamble recently.

Eton pupil and Cambridge graduate Sir Gerald Festus Kelly (1879-1972) threw himself into art studies in Paris and ultimately became a successful society portraitist.

The artist Joseph Lindon Smith (1863-1950) is considered one of the most important figures in 20th century American Egyptology.

With the recent retirement of Allard Schierenberg and Jeanne van Bruggen, the remaining stock of Dutch dealership Antiquariaat Junk will be sold at auction.

Described as “a remarkable convergence of Victorian social history and 20th century musical heritage”, a gelatin silver print of the Wiltshire thatcher Lot Long sold for £16,000 (plus 20% buyer’s premium) at Denhams in Warnham, West Sussex on February 25.

Sale of more than 300 works amassed by former journalist for The Times attracts a wide range of interest

Dealer and mountaineer is fascinated by both the peak in real life and in a Doré depiction of first ascent