The Friday F.U.N Email(Factoid, Under 2k, Nuggets)Factoid:Why Buying Affordable Art Is Harder Than You Think Buying affordable art might seem straightforward, but it’s often trickier than investing in high-end pieces. Here’s why. In the first half of 2024, 91% of auctioned artworks were priced under $10,000, with 61% under $1,000, according to ArtPrice data. This segment, driven by the boom in online sales, is the fastest-growing part of the market. It’s easier than ever to buy affordable art—but there’s a catch. With so many options, the risk of buying something mediocre skyrockets. Finding something truly worthwhile takes patience and a practiced eye. The best advice? Be bold with your budget. Instead of spreading your money across five forgettable works, invest in one exceptional piece. The reward? A collection that’s thoughtful, not cluttered—and a treasure you’ll enjoy for years to come. Under 2k:COMPANY SCHOOL Study of a Malabar Trogon Bird £600 - 800 As the British East India Company settled across India it gave rise to the so-called Company School of painting. Local artists, traditionally trained in Mughal styles, began adapting their techniques to suit European patrons' tastes. The result? Exquisitely detailed and decorative studies of India’s flora and fauna—like this charming depiction of a Malabar Trogon. HANS WEGNER J16 ROCKING CHAIR £100 - 150 Mid-century modern meets rustic charm. This unassuming rocking chair might look humble, but it can fetch around £3,000. A true classic at a surprisingly accessible price—just be sure to confirm with the auction house that it bears the stamp of authenticity. You could be sipping your Christmas champagne in style this year. Nuggets:✨ Beauty: Botticelli soars to nearly £10M at Sotheby's. ✂️ Get crafty: Book your card making workshop at the National Gallery. 🧦 Stocking fillers: Now 15% off at Tate. 🤔 Quiz time: You have to get 10 in a row to win. 📚 Book Bag... 🐈⬛ Quirky one: Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws and Kitties of Yore. 🌹 The Magnum Opus: Jan Davidsz De Heem 1606-1684. 🪦 Lately departed: Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads. 🇬🇧 The new bestseller: The Invention of British Art. 👀 The social critique: Poor Artists. SHARE UNBUNDLEMake someone's day! 🤝 Forward them this email. Better yet... Refer just 1 friend and start winning amazing prizes. 👇 See how below.
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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.
The Friday F.U.N Email (Factoid, Under 2k, Nuggets) Factoid: Relax, It’s Only 0.22% A banana duct-taped to a wall selling for $6.2 million is, admittedly, tough to digest. Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian ignited both outrage and existential despair after its sale. “If that’s art, then it’s the end of art, isn’t it?” lamented Bendor Grosvenor. Well, “some people don’t realize when they’re being played” said Marion Maneker of Puck. So who's holding the peel? Enter Justin Sun, the 34-year-old...
THIS WEEK: The green fairy, a fantastic foot, books, exhibitions & more. Keep on scrolling... Absinthe is making a comeback—or so says The Observer. Once banned for nearly a century, the emerald elixir has reclaimed its place in London’s trendiest bars. At Soho’s Three Sheets, for example, you’ll find the “Sazzaquack,” a zesty mix of rooibos-infused lemon absinthe. For generations of artists, though, absinthe wasn’t just a drink—it was a muse. Gauguin, Picasso, Degas, Manet, and Van Gogh not...
3 sunny bargains below keep on scrolling... The Friday F.U.N Email (Factoid, Under 2k, Nuggets) Factoid: 95% of Auerbach's work ended up in the bin. The great Frank Auerbach has passed away at the age of 93. In 1939, his parents saved him by placing him on a train from Berlin to London, just before they were sent to Auschwitz. They would never see him again, but what a future they ensured. The son they saved became one of the greatest painters of modern times—a true giant. Auerbach painted...