“The attribution to Leonardo was established almost 10 years prior to sale by a panel of a dozen scholars, and was reconfirmed at the time of the auction in 2017.”
A spokesman from Christie’s hits back at Dr Matthew Landrus’ view that Salvator Mundi should be attributed to one of Leonardo da Vinci’s assistants. Landrus is an Oxford academic.
“It is an honour to be entrusted with the auctioning of our first major collection, that of the late Dr Robert Wilson, as our inaugural sale. This is such an interesting and eclectic collection.”
Dr Jennifer Gibson, former head of decorative arts at the now defunct Australian auction house Mossgreen. She founded a new auction house, Gibson’s, in June and kicks off with the sale of a single owner collection of glass and ceramic.
“It never fails to surprise me how much is out there - from the prospectively exciting and overlooked, to the downright sinister.”
Dealer Philip Mould on the most recent season of Fake or Fortune, which airs this month.
“With respect to a couple of the season’s high-value lots, there appeared to be a bit less bidding than a year ago.”
Sotheby’s CEO Tad Smith on the auction house’s latest financial results, which showed sales up but profit margins lower than expected.
“Having headed up three of the most prominent art institutions in the UK, if not the world, Charles brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.”
Blain Southern’s directors Harry Blain and Graham Southern in a statement on the appointment of Charles Saumarez Smith, formerly of the Royal Academy, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, as director.
