Art Market

Although condition remains a pivotal factor in the Old Master market, a number of lots sold recently in the UK regions suggest increasing interest for works that represent a promising restoration project.

An intriguing variation on an Old Master sparked a strong competition at Parker Fine Art (25% buyer’s premium) earlier this summer.

A group of works by painter, printmaker and war artist Edward Ardizzone (1900-79) was offered at Lawrences’ latest picture sale in Crewkerne, with eight lots coming from the artist’s family.

When this triptych came in for examination at Gloucestershire saleroom Dominic Winter, it was difficult to distinguish certain areas of the painting.

The top-priced picture of the Dominic Winter sale on July 23 came for a print from a separate source to the Oliver Hoare prints.

Group acquired by influential dealer Oliver Hoare brings solid demand

A small oil painting discovered among the contents of a Leamington Spa property sold for many multiples of its estimate at Kinghams (23% buyer’s premium).

British watercolours and drawings amassed by dealer came under the spotlight at two salerooms

The Fry collection sold at Chiswick Auctions in London was reminiscent of the kind of auctions the dealer himself would attend

One of the most-represented names in the Fry collection was William Henry Hunt (1790-1864).

Works by Peter De Wint performed well at both Sotheby’s A Fine Line auction on July 7 and the online sale of Old Master and British Works on Paper from July 2-8.

A couple of Modern British works on paper drew keen attention at a recent West Sussex auction.

Pre-1950s Mary Fedden works are stylistically different to her later still-lifes and coastal subjects

Semley (22% buyer’s premium) earlier this summer sold this portrait of a young boy in profile by Maurice William Greiffenhagen (1862- 1931).

A Grand Tour portrait that came to auction directly from the family of the sitter was among the most contested lots at Bonhams’ (27.5%/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) Old Master Paintings sale on July 7.

While Christie’s had by far the top-selling Old Master drawing of the latest series (the £7.5m Leonardo da Vinci drawing of the head of a bear - see ATG No 2501), a good number of other works on paper generated better competition although sold for understandably lower prices.

After a difficult period because of the pandemic, the latest round of Old Master sales in London returned to some kind of normality.

Rare market appearance by a Sir Henry Raeburn work heads a special report on recent Scottish highlights

Growing collector interest in the work of musician-artist Herbert Whone (1925-2011) has meant his auction record price has been beaten on an almost annual basis in recent years.

Vibrant colours, good subject and intriguing composition helped to spark a bidding competition for a painting by George Leslie Hunter (1877-1931).