Affordable art that's worth buying. Get industry professionals' tips on what’s coming up at auction. PLUS news, events, books, exhibitions and everything arts & culture.
🤑 A 3 million dollar doorstop
What's the sculpture?
This is a bust of Highland landowner Sir John Gordon, made by French artist Edmé Bouchardon in 1728. 200 years later it was bought by Invergordon Town Council for just £5. Fast forward to 1998, the work had been all but forgotten.
It was ultimately 'rediscovered' propping open a shed door. Initially valued at £1.4 M, an overseas buyer has approached the small Scottish town with a juicy offer of over £2.5 M.
What now?
It's up to the Invergordon Council committee and community now. They next meet on Monday, where they will discuss the fate of the bust.
ON THE MARKET
WILLIAM CROSBIE
Culture crosses culture
£400 - 600
A playful and expertly executed composition by Crosbie. Most of his works are still very affordable, although the more modernist, abstract compositions like this one are gaining a little more attention.
SIR PETER BLAKE
Appropriated Alphabets
£2,000 - 3,000
Lovers of Pop, design and typography! A full set of 12 iconic alphabet screenprints by the British artist. Bought from a gallery this portfolio will set you back £12,000. Have a pop!
ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM ETTY
Nude study
£500 - 700
Etty was one of the most technically gifted painters of his day. His work often split opinions though. Some proclaimed him an equal to Rubens. Others criticised him for being too preoccupied with bodily display and should make his art ‘fit for decent company’. Typical Victorians!
This sketchy study from a painter of such quality is a bargain at this price.
WHAT THE ULTRA-RICH BUY
PAT STEIR, Vibrating Blue and Red Waterfall. Purchased accidentally in 2015 for $95,000 by Alec Baldwin.
When attending a charity auction Alec Baldwin decided he would "get into the bidding just for fun, to get the price up”. Priced at $100k naturally, Alec assumed his rival bidder would be willing to go at least that far. "He goes $90,000, so I go $95,000—and he drops out. I’m like, you gotta be kidding me?"
He adds; "well, I got the painting for $95,000. And the woman sitting next to me, it’s this small owlish woman, and she goes, ‘Thank you very much, that was very kind of you. I’m Pat Steir.’ ”
BEFORE & AFTER
'O! Beat away the busy, meddling fiend that lays siege unto this wretch's soul'.
This painting by Joshua Reynolds depicting a scene from Henry VI Part II has had a clean-up. In the process of removing the extremely dirty varnish a demonic figure also emerged from the shadows. At the time it was supposedly covered up for being a 'ludicrous' literal interpretation of the word 'feind'.
SNIPPETS
🎟️ Event: Book your ticket to Olympia London Art & Antiques Fair.
🖋️ Get creative: Sign up for 'Mastering pen and ink' workshop at the National Portrait Gallery.
🤫 Secret chamber: Vault where Michaelangelo hid for months and drew on the walls opens to the public.
🐶 Woof: This auction has 252 lots of entirely dog-related art and objects.
💭 Opinion piece: Why are prints so misunderstood?
🤔 Quiz time: Can you spot 10 impressionists in a row? (Challenging)
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Affordable art that's worth buying. Get industry professionals' tips on what’s coming up at auction. PLUS news, events, books, exhibitions and everything arts & culture.
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