Art Market

Joseph Sherer entered the Royal Navy in 1811 aboard the Defiance. In 1819 he joined Hecla under Captain George Frederick Lyon taking part in Sir William Parry’s Arctic expeditions.

Royal Navy subjects prominent in a white-glove sale at London saleroom Charles Miller

Paintings of elegantly attired female figures hold a special place in the oeuvre of the Scottish Colourist Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883-1937).

While cats might occasionally be seen prowling round a skip, it’s much rarer to spot a painting in such a location by, yes you guessed it, the feline fan’s favourite Louis Wain (1860-1939).

A typically enigmatic portrait by Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (1890-1978) attracted interest at a recent sale at Lawrences (25 buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne in Somerset.

A work described as an “exciting addition to the oeuvre of Gillis Claeissens (1526-1605)” was the star performer at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Old Master, British and European art sale.

A group of works with provenance to one of India’s oldest commercial art galleries, emerged at a Plakas (29% buyer’s premium) auction on May 21.

Collectors are looking for lesser-known artists beyond the top targets in a notably strong market

Small but intriguing coastal scene estimated at just £50-80 spotted by eager bidders and taken to £3500

Although figurative studies, still-lifes and landscapes are most common in the oeuvre of Duncan Grant (1885-1978), it was a work with a somewhat different subject that turned heads at a recent auction in Carmarthen.

The artist Alfred W Hallett (1914-86) is mostly known for his portraits, landscapes and flower paintings made in India from 1938 onwards.

Among a good number of works by John Nash (1893-1977) commanding interest at the spring sales this year was a painting titled 'Gnarled Trees' which came to Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Surrey.