Fine Art

Fine art is a staple of the dealing and auctioneering industry, featuring works ranging from Medieval art to traditional Old Masters, and right through to cutting-edge Contemporary art.

While oil paintings represent a large part of the sector, other mediums adopted by artists across the ages include drawings, watercolours, prints and photographs.

Harbour of Saint George, Grenada

Rare watercolour of Grenada flies to 15 times estimate

20 May 2026

The artist George Heriot (1759-1839) is perhaps best known for his landscapes of Canada and pictures of indigenous people.

Anna Tonelli self portrait

Rediscovered Anna Tonelli portrait goes above estimate at Cotswolds auction

15 May 2026

A rare painting by the Italian artist Anna Tonelli (c.1763-1846) emerged at a sale at Cotswold Auction Company (24% buyer’s premium) this week.

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Da Messina discovered in private collection

15 May 2026

This oil on panel portrait of a saint is an addition to the small number of autographs by Quattrocento painter Antonello da Messina.

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Petworth dealer explains why having a gallery is so important to business

15 May 2026

For its summer show this year, Ottocento packs its Petworth gallery with the works of Modern British masters: John Nash, Henry Moore, David Bomberg, Peter Lanyon, Ben Nicholson, and more besides.

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Museums on the hunt for drawings and works on paper in Paris

15 May 2026

Institutional purchases have become a major feature of the Salon du Dessin works on paper fair

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Born without hands or feet: the remarkable artist Matthias Buchinger

15 May 2026

Rare family tree drawing by the 18th-century artist, magician, musician and showman comes to auction

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Nelson’s final voyage in a replica Victory

15 May 2026

While the Cheffins auction featured the original drawing for the Duke of Wellington’s funeral carriage (see main Art Market story in this edition), the funeral of another British hero of the Napoleonic wars was in the spotlight in a London sale.

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Moreau festive designs for birth of the Dauphin are now celebrated by the Palace of Versailles museum

15 May 2026

The artist Jean-Michel Moreau the younger (1741-1814) was employed from the 1780s onwards as a dessinateur des Menus-Plaisirs.

Medieval Royal heraldic embroideries

Medieval Royal heraldic embroideries come to auction this summer

14 May 2026

A pair of late Medieval Royal heraldic embroideries with a Spanish connection will be offered at Bonhams on July 2 with a £200,000-300,000 estimate.

Curwen Studio

Rarely seen Mod Brit print archive to be freely available online following funding boost

13 May 2026

A rarely seen print archive featuring work by Mod Brit art greats including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Elisabeth Frink, Paula Rego, Ceri Richards and John Piper will soon be available freely online.

Still Life – Flowers by Duncan Grant

Duncan Grant still life catches the eye at Modern Made sale

13 May 2026

While a bountiful Cedric Morris still life was the headline lot at Lyon & Turnbull’s (27/26% buyer’s premium) latest Modern Made sale, it wasn’t the only flower painting that drew keen interest at the auction.

Laskett Garden

Sir Roy Strong’s garden statuary comes to auction after his beloved The Laskett is set to be sold

12 May 2026

Statuary from the garden of art historian, writer and museum curator Sir Roy Strong is to be auctioned at Chorley’s.

Redfern Gallery

New premises for London art gallery and York book dealer among latest moves

11 May 2026

The latest Movers & Shakers round up includes new homes for Redfern Gallery and Lucius Books

Paysage du Jardin no.2 by Cedric Morris

Blooming marvellous: Cedric Morris flower painting makes it to £180,000 with help of 27 species

08 May 2026

A detailed and colourful flower study by Sir Cedric Lockwood Morris (1889-1982) attracted fervent competition at Lyon & Turnbull’s latest Modern Made auction in London.

Castiglione picture

Hong Kong auctions get off to an auspicious start

08 May 2026

Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s Asian Art Week was led by the earliest extant court painting by the Italian Jesuit painter Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766).

Portrait of Henry Pelham

Descendant consigns two prime minister portraits to Essex auction

08 May 2026

Portraits of the third and fourth prime ministers of Great Britain are among the highlights of a fine collection of British portraiture that comes for sale at Sworders on May 19.

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Samuel Palmer and printmaking: the other side of his creativity

08 May 2026

Ahead of a new exhibition at a London gallery, Alex Capon takes a closer look at the renowned Romantic artist’s later work and the market that now exists via auction houses and dealerships

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Quentin Blake originals bring back fond memories at auction

08 May 2026

Arabel and her anarchic pet raven, Mortimer, were first introduced in 1974 on the children’s television show Jackanory.

Christmas Eve a work by Patrick Heron

Heron spotting at Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert

08 May 2026

London gallery holds its second exhibition since it started to represent the artist’s estate six years ago

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Sponsor’s message: Celebrating 10 years of growth with anniversary auctions in July

08 May 2026

It is now 10 years since we started Forum Auctions.

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