Dave’s Faves for the Smith & Singer auction 24 June 2020
Geoffrey Smith and Gary Singer have produced their first sale of Australian and International Fine Art under their own names after their departure from Sotheby’s. Geoffrey Smith has made it very clear that they are only interested in pursuing sales of the most valuable artworks that they can find, and their upcoming auction is a […]
Leonard Joel’s groundbreaking sale of contemporary art
Even though room audiences in major art auctions have shrunk over the last few years, no auctioneer would have been quite prepared for zero attendees for a major sale of fine art. Recently introduced rules on property inspections and art viewings as well as auctions to restrict gatherings of people meant that Leonard Joel managing […]
First major COVID- 19 online-only auctions achieve good results
While the coronavirus lockdown removed live auction bidding, many of the Australia and New Zealand auction houses have continued sales with online-only auctions, while others have closed their doors until the crisis passes. Prior to the lockdown, there were three possible auction formats: live only, both live and online and online-only, with the latter being […]
Dave’s Faves for the Leonard Joel Auction on 5 May 2020
For their 100 year anniversary, Leonard Joel Auctions in Melbourne have put together a celebratory auction titled “Centum” (Latin for “hundred”) with 100 works by 100 living Australian artists. They range from masters like John Olsen and Tim Storrier to mid-career artists such as Euan MacLeod and Peter Booth, to younger artists including art market […]
Davidson Auctions Takes Online Bidding to New Heights
Perhaps not since the time of World War II have Australians felt so strongly about the comforts of home, while many are trapped in overseas countries with little chance of returning quickly. Home then becomes a haven and shelter, a place to feel safe and secure. With share markets declining everywhere, perhaps we seek solace […]
Colonial – Contemporary: Colville Gallery Auction in Hobart
Wandering through the large colonial art collection at the Tasmanian Art Gallery and Museum, one is immediately assured of its gravitas and sense of history. Some of Australia’s most significant paintings reside here, including Benjamin Duterreau’s “The Conciliation” from 1840. Tasmania has long been a natural magnet for artists, from John Glover through Tom Roberts […]
Dave’s Faves for Deutscher + Hackett Auction 27 Nov. 2019
The last auction for the year at Deutscher + Hackett on 27 November features two collections which couldn’t be more different, and wonderfully demonstrate D+H’s brilliant range in their offering. Lots 24 to 34 contains works from the Mainland Collection of Contemporary Asia Pacific Art; it was assembled with the idea of “The art of […]
Sotheby’s Fine Art Auction 20 November 2019
Sotheby’s present 79 lots in their spring 2019 auction, with some truly outstanding offerings. We are particularly captivated by lot 26, “Woman in a Salon”, William Dobell’s portrait of Helena Rubinstein, founder of the eponymous cosmetics empire. What an extraordinary woman and life – and what a striking painting by one of our most incisive […]
Dave’s Faves: Bonhams ‘Fairwater’ Auction – Sept 22, 2019
We all love a good home contents auction, but “Fairwater” in Point Piper is not just any old home, but the ultimate Sydney harbour front mansion on 11,000 m2 of manicured grounds. The largest privately-held property on Sydney harbour was owned by the Fairfax publishing dynasty for over 100 years. This year the family sold […]
Dave’s Faves for the Menzies Auction September 2019
The Menzies Fine Art Auction on 26 September in Sydney promises some very interesting offerings among its 125 lots. There are a number of works on paper by international greats such as Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol with a Mick Jagger portrait and Banksy (fear not, it won’t be shredded after the hammer comes down). Aboriginal […]