Protesters Throw Soup at Mona Lisa Amidst French Farmer Demonstrations | VIDEOLegendary Stradivarius Violin Fetches $11 Million at Sotheby’s, Falling Short of World RecordRembrandt’s Night Watch in Delft Blue Version: Phygital NFTs Kickstarting a New Generation of Traditional ArtAncient and Contemporary Japanese Kites Take Flight in Italy for ‘One Sky One World’ Peace Festival
Pompadour-Linked Oeben Commodes Fetch €229,000 at BonhamsRussian Silver Shines as Ovchinnikov’s Enamel Casket Fetches €356,000Russian Art Soars: Aivazovsky’s View of Capri Sells for €825,900Masamune-Lineage Wakizashi Sells for £83,700 as Bonhams’ Peter Yorke Collection Sells OutYi Ming’s Dawning Sells for £384,500 at Bonhams LondonRare Tang Ying Brushpot Sells for £538,100 at BonhamsMaurice Leloir’s Four Historical Scenes Sell for €128,600 at BonhamsJacob Jordaens’s Portrait of His Wife Sells for €154,200 at BonhamsRenaissance Portrait Attributed to Conrad Faber Sells for €295,000 at BonhamsJodi the Nanotyrannus Sells for US$47.3 Million at Sotheby’sQianlong Emperor’s Jewel-Encrusted Gold Ewer Sells for US$7.11 Million at Christie’sHockney’s €282,200 Print Leads Warhol and Banksy in €1.06 Million Bonhams SaleMV Agusta Sells for $1.3 Million, Setting an Italian Motorcycle Auction RecordEnigma Machine Sells for £203,600 at Bonhams: Inside the 1941 Cipher DeviceUzo Egonu’s Will Knowledge Safeguard Freedom I Sets Auction Record at £198,900

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Art and collecting news from London, including exhibitions, auction previews and results, gallery programmes, and notable objects. Follow the artists, collections, and cultural events connected with the city.

Obscure Artist Stuns Auctioneers: Leonardo Guzzardi’s Portrait of Lord Nelson Sells 15 Times Estimate

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Detail of Admiral Lord Nelson in naval uniform with a red sash, from Leonardo Guzzardi’s portrait.

In a stunning turn of events, a rare portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson by the little-known Italian artist Leonardo Guzzardi sold for £94,380 ($120,000) at Bonhams’ Old Master Paintings auction in London, shattering its modest pre-sale estimate of £6,000–£8,000 ($7600–$10,200). The 1799 full-length depiction of Nelson in naval dress, set against a dramatic maritime backdrop, captivated bidders and underscored a growing appetite for rediscovered works by overlooked artists. Guzzardi, a relatively obscure figure believed to have worked for the Neapolitan Court, has gained renewed attention for his raw, realistic portrayals of the famed British naval hero, marking this sale as both a market surprise and a testament to the timeless allure of historical portraiture.

African Artists Show Strong Results at Auction: William Kentridge Smashes Estimate

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Detail of Ben Enwonwu’s FESTAC ’77, showing a figure in profile in blue, green and yellow.

A recent auction at Bonhams in London showcased the dynamic and rising value of Modern and Contemporary African Art, concluding with total sales of £2,439,400 (approximately $2,976,068). The event featured prominent works, including William Kentridge’s Monument I, which soared past expectations, selling for £483,000 (about $589,260) against its estimate of £200,000–£300,000. Kentridge’s evocative charcoal piece, rooted in his Drawings for Projection series, epitomizes his narrative-driven approach that intertwines historical introspection with striking visual artistry. Irma Stern’s Zululand and significant pieces by Ben Enwonwu and Marlene Dumas further emphasized the auction’s success, underscoring the burgeoning global recognition and deepening collector interest in African art’s profound heritage and contemporary vibrancy.

One of the Rarest and Most Important Islamic Glass Artifacts to Appear at Auction: Egypt’s First Prime Minister Nubar Pasha’s Ancient 14th-Century Sarghitmish Mosque Lamp

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Sarghitmish enamelled glass mosque lamp with blue calligraphy, a red-and-white emblem, loop handles and a clear foot.

A rare and historically significant 14th-century Mamluk mosque lamp from Egypt, known as the Sarghitmish lamp, will be a highlight at Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian Art Sale on 12 November 2024. With an estimated value of £600,000-1,000,000, this exquisite piece of Islamic glassware boasts impeccable provenance, having been in the family of Egypt’s first Prime Minister, Nubar Pasha, for over a century. The lamp, commissioned by Emir Sarghitmish during the reign of Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad, is adorned with intricate enamel and gilded inscriptions, blending piety and politics in its design. Its rich exhibition history includes displays in some of Paris’ most prominent museums, making it one of the most important examples of medieval Islamic craftsmanship ever offered at auction.

Who is Joanna Li: A Journey of Emotional Expression Through Art

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Joanna Li, The Present Moment, Photography, 2021

Joanna Li, a Taiwanese artist, is rapidly gaining recognition in the international art scene for her distinctive ability to fuse natural and urban landscapes into emotionally rich narratives. Now based in London, where she graduated from the renowned University of the Arts, her work spans both photography and watercolor painting, each piece reflecting her profound artistic depth. With a sharp eye for contrast and composition, Joanna delves into themes of isolation, memory, and connection, offering audiences an immersive emotional experience. Her art transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries, communicating universal emotions that resonate with viewers around the world.

One of the World’s Most Recognizable Guitars to Hit Auction: Rory Gallagher’s $1 Million 1961 Fender Stratocaster

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Electric guitar with a heavily worn brown finish and cream pickguard, leaning against a VOX amplifier.

Gallagher’s Stratocaster has long been celebrated, appearing on numerous magazine covers and displayed in landmark exhibitions. It has also been played by famed musicians such as Johnny Marr and Joe Bonamassa, further cementing its status in music history. Fender began producing replica models of the guitar in 2004 as part of its artist signature series.

Who is Roman Goncharenko: Surreal Digital Artist of Fantasy and Adventure

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Spectrum of Possibilities: a small figure and a van beneath swirling orange, pink and blue light. © Roman Goncharenko

London-based Ukrainian digital artist Roman Goncharenko takes viewers into a world where the boundaries between surrealism, science fiction, and fantasy blur, offering a visual feast that combines the whimsical with the profound. His works are characterized by an otherworldly blend of vibrant colors, surreal compositions, and dynamic movement that evoke everything from wonder and fear to nostalgia and introspection.

Magnificent Japanese Inlaid Jar from the Meiji Era Sells for $146,000

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Meiji-era inlaid iron jar and cover by Yano Katsumine, circa 1890.

A notable inlaid iron jar and cover, decorated with intricate designs of birds and flowers representing the four seasons and commissioned by the renowned Meiji-era crafts entrepreneur Kawaguchi Yohei of Tokyo, sold for £114,700 ($146,000) at Bonhams New Bond Street. The item significantly exceeded its estimated value of £50,000-80,000 ($63,000-102,000) during the Fine Japanese Art Sale, which featured Meiji Masterpieces from a Distinguished Deceased Estate this May. The auction comprised 166 lots, achieving a total of £1,065,816 ($1,363,000), with a remarkable 98% sold by value.

Taylor Swift’s Rare Handwritten Interview Sold for $18,000 – Read Her Answers, See Her Signature, Discover Her Secrets!

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Close-up of Taylor Swift on a 2009 MIZZ magazine cover, with a black marker signature across the lower half.

A rare handwritten questionnaire filled out by Taylor Swift for MIZZ Magazine in 2009 has been sold at Bonhams auction in London for £14,200 ($18,000). This is a significant leap from its initial estimate of £2,000 ($2,500) to £3,000 ($3,700), highlighting the enduring popularity and cultural impact of the global pop superstar. Swift, who has since become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. This early piece of memorabilia serves as a nostalgic reminder of her journey from a rising country singer to a global pop icon.

Lost Masterpiece by John Piper Fetches $401,000 at Auction

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Square crop of John Piper's Painting, 1936 (Forms on Dark Blue), with layered geometric shapes and fine outlines.

A long-lost six-foot abstract painting by renowned British artist John Piper (1903-1992) has surfaced, drawing significant attention at Bonhams’ Modern British & Irish Art sale on 19 June at Bonhams New Bond Street, London. The painting, titled Painting, 1936 (Forms on Dark Blue), had been part of a prestigious family collection since its creation and had never been offered at auction. Its reappearance and subsequent sale for £317,900 ($401,000) marked a highlight of the auction, which saw substantial interest from collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

Exclusive Interview with Renowned Slovenian Contemporary Artist Michael Gregorjev Murn | Part 3

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Black-and-white portrait of a man in a tuxedo seated in a leather armchair.

Welcome to the third part of our exclusive interview with Michael Gregorjev Murn, a renowned contemporary artist from Slovenia. Known for his ability to balance commercial success with creative integrity, Michael shares insights into his unique approach to the art business. He discusses the dynamics of artwork sales, the significance of art fairs like ART Expo Ljubljana and ART Expo Trieste, as well as his upcoming solo exhibition at the prestigious Miart Gallery in London. From navigating client expectations to leveraging social media, Michael’s experiences offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolving art market and the strategies he employs to stay at the forefront. Join us as we delve deeper into the world of this influential artist, exploring the intersection of artistic vision and entrepreneurial acumen.