Category: Auctions
Farinelli's Paintings up for Sale (?)
February 17 2022
Picture: diapasonmag.fr
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Interesting news from France that the auction house Aguttes will be offering two recently rediscovered pictures by Francesco Battaglioli (1725-1796) in March. The pictures have been identified by the scholar Mickaël Bouffard as opera stage sets for productions of Nitteti. This opera, with a libretto by Metastasis set to music by Nicola Conforto, was performed in 1756 at the Theatre of the Buen Retiro Palace on the occasion of the birthday of King Ferdinand VI.
Researchers have gone as far to suggest that the paintings might have belonged to the famous castrato Farinelli. The works have been linked to two others kept in Library-Museum of the Paris Opera, which were said to have been brought back by the singer as gifts from the Spanish court.
The pair will be sold on the 25th March 2022.
Rediscovered Romney up for Sale
February 9 2022
Picture: Toovey's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Some interesting news that a rediscovered portrait of Lady Laetitia Beauchamp-Proctor by George Romney is coming up for sale at Toovey's later this month. The picture was spotted in a private collection by consultant Tim Williams where it had been considered to be 'attributed to' Angelika Kauffman for some time. Romney's hand in the picture was finally confirmed by Alexander Kidson, who had included the work within his 2015 catalogue raisonné as 'whereabouts unknown'.*
According to the press release:
George Romney recorded Lady Beauchamp-Proctor’s seven sittings between 20th July and 16th August 1780, and the 18 guinea fee was paid to the artist on 5th May 1781. It was sent to Thomas Allwood for framing and is recorded in his framing book as ‘an oval 3/4 at a price of £2 12s 6d for Lady Beauchamp Proctor’.
* - Editors of future 'discovery' pieces take note, it's very good when recognised authorities are consulted as part of any story that deal with such things!
Museum of Fine Arts Besançon hangs its new Vouet
January 28 2022
Picture: @villedebesancon
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Museum of Fine Arts and Archeology of Besançon have hung their latest acquisition, Simon Vouet's Angels Bearing the Column of Passion. The work was purchased at Sotheby's Paris in November 2021 for €252,000 (inc. commission). Most importantly, the acquisition allows the work to be hung next to another canvas of angels to which it was originally joined.
Manchester Deaf Museum acquires work by Charles Webb Moore
January 28 2022
Picture: @OlympiaAuctions
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Olympia Auctions (formerly the 25 Blythe Road collective) in West London has shared news that a portrait sold by them in May 2021 has been acquired by the Deaf Museum in Manchester. The painting was created by the deaf artist Charles Webb Moore (1848-1933) and depicts and unknown gentleman wearing a black suit and white shirt.
According to the original catalogue note:
Moore was described as the "doyen of deaf artists" by the inventor Arthur James Wilson, himself a prominent figure in the deaf community of 19th and early 20th Century Britain. The artist was born into a family of artists and craftspeople based in London. All of his immediate family were also deaf, and they were part of the deaf community that centred largely around St Saviour's Church, Oxford Street (now relocated to Acton), the only purpose-built church for the deaf in London.
Marquess of Downshire Pictures coming up at Sotheby's in April
January 28 2022
Picture: artscouncil.org.uk
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
An eagle eyed reader has alerted me to a posting on the Private Treaty Sales section of the Arts Council website. The post explains that a selection of eleven pictures from the Marquess of Downshire's collection will be coming up for sale at Sotheby's London on 4th April 2022. This includes paintings by the likes of Attrib. George Gower, Sir Peter Lely, Studio of Kneller, Michael Dahl, Bernard Lens and Filippo Lauri. Another four will be heading to sale at Tennants later in April 2022.
Sleeper Alert!
January 28 2022
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Some readers might remember this painting that I highlighted on the blog on 9th January catalogued as Follower of Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
The painting was sold this morning in New York for $1,593,000 over its $50k - $70k estimate.
Notably, this painting had been published as 'Bruegel's earliest work' in a 1955 publication by Fritz Grossmann. It seems that many Bruegel writers continued to republish Grossmann's verdict until it was questioned at some point during the 1970s.
This might be a story to follow in the near future, especially if it reappears somewhere interesting.
And we're off...!
January 27 2022
Picture: Sotheby's via. Facebook
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Sotheby's New York Master Paintings sale has just begun! What will the Botticelli make? Will the Correggio, van Mol, Cranach, Coorte, de Sarto and Artemisias soar?!
All will soon be revealed!
Update - The first picture to break its top estimate is Ambrosius Benson's Mary Magdalene which was knocked down at $1.6m (hammer price) over its $500k - $700k estimate. All pictures have just about managed to hit their low estimates thus far.
Update 2 - Pieter van Mol's Diogenes just managed to break its top estimate to achieve $4.8m (hammer price) over its $2m - $3m estimate. I managed to have a good look at this at the London previews. It's a stunning picture which surely has a glorious clean in it. An auction record for Pieter van Mol too.
The sale has gotten off to a good start, it seems!
Update 3 - The first passes, lot. 7 and 8.
Update 4 - Giovanni Bellini's Mother and Child was just bought-in at $2.9m (hammer price) under its estimate of $3m - $5m. Perhaps bidders are saving their pennies for the Botticelli?
Update 5 - Andrea del Sarto's Portrait of a Man just scraped $1.8m (hammer price) under its $2m - $3m estimate.
Update 6 - Correggio's Magdalen Reading was bought-in (meaning it didn't manage to hit its reserve) at $4.4m (hammer) under its $4.5m - $5.5m estimate. A shame, as it was very close.
Update 7 - A 'Dutch School' portrait of a Boy managed to realise $214,200 (inc. commission) over its $40k - $60k estimate. An impressive result, I wonder if someone has managed to work out who painted it.
Update 8 - Artemisia's Portrait of a Lady sold for $2.2m (hammer price) over its $2m - $3m estimate.
Botticelli's Man of Sorrows makes $39.3m (hammer price)
January 27 2022
Picture: Sotheby's via. Facebook
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sotheby's New York have just sold Sandro Botticelli's Man of Sorrows for $39.3m (hammer price) with the pre-sale estimate mooted at around $40m. With commission this adds up to $45.4m.
Bidding opened at $33m, climbed to $38m where it stalled for a short while with increments of $200k, $500k, $700k, $900k until it hit $39m. Bidding slowly crept up with $100k increments to $39.3m where it finally sold to a phone bidder with Liz Lobkowicz.
Sotheby's Results
January 27 2022
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Today's Sotheby's New York Master Paintings and Sculpture sale realised a total of $90,970,160 (all prices include commission) with 74.55% of lots sold. This total includes the $45.45m achieved by the Botticelli and a $9.91m Egyptian statue. This is only a little down on the $114,502,900 made last year, which included a ($92.1m!) Botticelli, of course.
There were a few disappointments though. The Correggio, Bellini, Vrel and van Baburen were all bought in.
Some of the pictures that soared include a portrait by Goya which achieved $2,198,000 (all prices include commission) over its $400k - $600k estimate; Pieter van Mol's Diogenes which realised $5,779,200 over its $2m - $3m estimate; Gerrit Dou's candlelight scene which made $746,000 over its $150k - $250k estimate; a pair of portraits by Pickenoy which made $1,084,800 over their $450k - $550k estimate; a Rachel Ruysch still life which realised $365,400 over its $80k - $120k estimate; a portrait by Charles Wautier which made $189,000 over its $60k - $80k estimate and a head study of a man by Gaetano Gandolfi which made $818,600 over its $300k - $500k estimate.
Masters Week at Sotheby's New York
January 25 2022
Video: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
It is Masters Week for Sotheby's New York. The following video has been made providing a brief tour of the highlights.
All eyes on what the Botticelli will make...
Sleeper Alert!
January 25 2022
Picture: Cambi
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Apologies for being a little late to this story. Twitter was awash with excitement last week about this auction result from Italy (from December 2021). The painting of Saint Jerome in the Desert, catalogued as 'Attributed to Salvator Rosa', realised €126,000 (hammer price) over its €10k - €15k estimate.
€12m - €15m Chardin coming up for sale in Paris
January 20 2022
Picture: Artcurial
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News is just breaking that Artcurial, through the expertise of Cabinet Turquin, will be offering Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin's The Basket of Wild Strawberries at auction in March. The painting, emanating from the Eudoxe Marcille collection, will be sold with an estimate of €12m - €15m.
The painting will be sold on 23rd March 2022.
Sotheby's New York Master Paintings Part II
January 9 2022
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sotheby's New York have uploaded their Master Paintings Part II (the equivalent to the old 'day sale') to their website. This online sale will take place between 18th - 28th January 2022.
As usual, there are many intriguing paintings with tempting estimates on offer. The catalogue note and literature references for lot 311 (pictured) makes for especially interesting reading, however, I won't spoil any more of the fun!
Sotheby's are Hiring!
January 7 2022
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sotheby's Old Master Paintings Department in London are hiring a Cataloguer.
The key objectives are the job are as follows:
To catalogue, organise, plan and lead on the mid-season and online sales; to catalogue and research Old Master paintings in the Day and Evening sales; to assist and in certain cases lead valuations and in due course to gather business for the above sales at New Bond Street.
No salary is indicated and neither is a deadline date set for applications. You'll have to have a BA or MA in art history as per the requirements of the role.
Good luck if you're applying!
Bernhard Strigel Angel up for Sale
January 7 2022
Video: Eric Turquin Expertise
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A few members of the art press have been pointing out a rare painted angel by Bernhard Strigel (1460–1528) that is coming up for sale in early February. The work dated to c.1520, rediscovered by Eric Turquin, relates to another angel by Strigel purchased by the Louvre Abu Dhabi at auction in 2008 for €1.1m. It is believed the panel might have been part of an altarpiece that was dismantled during the Reformation.
The work will be sold at the auction house Artpaugée, Paris, on 4th February 2022 carrying an estimate of €600k - €800k. No prizes for guessing where it might end up...
Leonardo Outbid on Leonardo Ripoff
January 6 2022
Picture: pagesix.com
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
An amusing story from the world of celebrity gossip this week. Hollywood actor Leonardo di Caprio was supposedly outbid on a painting known as "Mona Lisa Bull Fighter" by at a UNICEF gala in St Barts a few days ago. The $1m work, clearly a rip-off by another famous Leonardo, was produced by Domingo Zapata, an artist whose works di Caprio is said to collect.
Reynolds's and Lawrence's Van Dyck Up for Sale
December 30 2021
Picture: L - Sotheby's / R - Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
I thought it may be of interest to point out that a Van Dyck owned by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir Thomas Lawrence is up for sale at Sotheby's New York's upcoming Nelson Shanks Collection Sale on 27th January 2022 with an estimate of $100k - $150k. The work is a head study of Saint Anthony of Padua which appears in large painting kept at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. As the catalolgue note explains, the picture was rejected in the 2004 catalogue raisonné, a project that didn't provide much attention at all to head studies. Fortunately, scholars have since given the work back to Van Dyck in full.
Curiously, the same picture was sold at Christie's in 2012 (right image), given to Van Dyck in full. Comparing pictures, isn't it astonishing how quickly varnish can discolour! (unless one of the images is photoshopped, of course)
Sotheby's New York January Sale
December 23 2021
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sotheby's New York have uploaded their January Old Master Paintings sale online. The auction will take place on 27th January 2022.
Amongst their top lots are Botticelli's The Man of Sorrows estimated in excess of $40m; Giovanni Bellini's The Madonna and Child estimated at $3m - $5m; Correggio's Saint Mary Magdalen Reading estimated at $4.5m - $5.5m; Artemisia Gentileschi's Portrait of a Lady estimated at $2m - $3m; Andrea Del Sarto's Portrait of a Man estimated at $2m - $3m; A Still life of fraises-de-bois by Adriaen Coorte estimated at $1.5m - $2m; Nicolas de Largillierre's portrait of a Lady as Pomona estimated at $1m - $1.5m; Pieter van Mol's Diogenes with his lantern looking for an honest man estimated at $2m - $3m and Jacobus Vrel's Old Woman Seated with a Young Girl estimated at $300k - $500k (pictured).
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With 57 lots in the evening sale alone, this auction might well be one to watch.
Christie's £10.41m vs. Sotheby's £18.86m
December 10 2021
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
This week saw the major Old Master Paintings sales in London.
Christie's Evening Sale on Tuesday realised £10.41m (all figures inc. commission) with roughly 70.22% of lots sold.*
The two lots that soared away in the Christie's sale were Peter Brueghel the Younger's Massacre of the Innocents which realised £2,422,500 (all amounts inc. commission) over its £1m - £1.5m estimate and a Florentine School c.1500 tondo (pictured) which made £500,000 over its £80k - £120k estimate.
Sotheby's Evening Sale on Wednesday realised £18.86m with roughly 81.82% of lots sold.**
Van Dyck's two portraits of Jacob de Witte and Maria Nutius managed to hit the top end of their estimate by achieving £6,172,800 over their £4m - £6m estimate. Quite a few of the Sotheby's pictures that sold managed to break through their high estimates, including Rubens's The Abduction of Ganymede which realised 716,800 over its £300k - £400k estimate; Turner's Cilgerran Castle which realised £1,043,500 over its £300k - £500k estimate; A marine by Constable which realised £813,600 over its £200k - £300k estimate and one of a pair of Boucher and Studio scenes which realised £195,300 over its £60k - £80k estimate.
The standout picture of the day sale, the aforementioned Portrait of an Old Man 'Attributed to Frans Hals', smashed through its estimate of £80k - £120k to realise £1,951,000.
Perhaps the most disappointing results were the two major Constables of Salisbury Cathedral and the rediscovered Glebe Farm that failed to find buyers. This was despite the large amount of press both pictures received in the press.
The Art Newspaper run a piece on the sales with the title that 'There are too many auctions and not enough collectors.' The articles places the blame on sluggish sales on the lack of supply of good pictures, the rising infection rate and the difficulties encountered due to Britain leaving the EU.
* - This amount is calculated by missing lot numbers.
** - This % does not include 3 missing lot numbers.
Drawing of Velázquez's Funeral (?) up for Sale
December 6 2021
Picture: abalartesubastas.com
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Spanish Press (spotted via. @Boro_RR) have shared news of a curious drawing of Diego Velázquez's funeral that is coming up for sale at auction in Spain. The work on paper was created by Antonio González Velázquez (1723-1793), no relation, 112 years after Diego Velázquez's death in 1660. It is not clear whether the drawing is a copy of some source, since lost, or is just a work of pure imagination. The bidding for the 'unique' drawing will start at €25,000.
