“I fear that your actions could gravely harm Christie’s in London.”
Anthony Coleridge, chairman of Christie’s South Kensington from 1987-2001, writes an open letter to Christie’s owner Francois Pinault.
“Of those five paintings, it was Ehrenbreitstein that caught the imagination of the public and critics alike. Its true greatness lies in the way Turner applies his painterly genius to transform the ruins of a famous fortress into a poetic and symbolic image.”
Alex Bell, co-chairman of Sotheby’s describes J.M.W. Turner’s painting Ehrenbreitstein, which comes up for auction in the firm’s London saleroom this summer.
“I was amazed on entering a bedroom in Mr Southgate’s house to find the walls were covered with swords, helmets and militaria. We had to search very carefully as he hid the more valuable items around the house, in the loft, under sofas and so on.”
Reeman Dansie Auctioneers’ director James Grinter on his house call where he discovered the collection of Philip Southgate.
“I have no doubt.”
Guy Stair Sainty on the version of Edgar Degas’ statue Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen he will exhibit at his gallery this month. He is among a growing number of experts that believes a recently-found example to represent Degas’ original.
