Reports from the inaugural “Master Paintings Week” collaboration between London’s Old Master dealers and auction houses have been smashing. For many of the private dealers, business was bountiful. The Antiques Trade Gazette described bustling commerce amidst the distraction of an epic men’s final at Wimbledon, and fortified interest from many of the top [...]

After the encouraging results of Christie’s sale on Tuesday night, Sotheby’s follow up on Wednesday was an uneven one (20 of the 54 lots did not sell,) yet overall, produced some spectacular surprises. The market’s connoisseurship once again demonstrated that value is not necessarily found in a big name-two of top selling lots were [...]

OMNP previews select lots from Christie’s London sale of Old Master paintings on Tuesday, December 2rd.
An excellent Breughel work, comparable to Sotheby’s showcase lot on Wednesday, is being estimated by Christie’s at under $1m USD
Rediscovered Masterpiece by Tiepolo Goes on Public View at Christie’s [Art Knowledge]

Previous reading:
Upcoming Old Masters Auctions [Old Masters, New Perspectives]
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The Winter Old Master sales in London are steadily approaching with a fair amount of anticipation in light of the art market’s recent struggles. Following the strong results of this past July, will the Old Master market be less affected by recent economic downturn? Click MORE for a basic rundown of some the notable upcoming [...]

Following up on the previews of Old Master exhibitions in Europe earlier last month, OMNP follows up with comprehensive coverage of some of the major shows, along with a rundown of those recently announced, both in the US and abroad.

Renaissance Faces: Van Eyck to Titian, now on view until January 18, at the UK National [...]

While the Hirst auction ended up being a defiant cash cow for Sotheby’s, channeling the artist’s aesthetics  through works like the Warhol print above couldn’t save the auction house from disappointing results from last week’s Contemporary sales.
Is a bleak one (at least for the short term).
As the maelstrom of turmoil affecting the international economy continues [...]

Caravaggio Stolen From Odessa Museum [Art Info]
With the recent wave of thefts in Nineteenth Century art and Old Master works that has inflicted Europe’s museums over the past few years, you would think that more of these older museums would be taking steps to improve their security. As this article mentions, Odessa Museum officials [...]

OMNP has added information on recent news and exhibitions to the left hand side of the site for your convenience.
A few items of interest from the past week:
£300m: Fashion king’s art collection in sale of century/Andrew Johnson/UK Independent
The heir to the late Yves Saint Laurent mulls over selling his massive art collection, which [...]

Masters and Surprises: In London, Old Masters Set To Be Sold” [Jay Akasie, New York Sun]
“At Sotheby’s, exceptional Old Masters offering lead to six records” [Souren Melikian, International Herald Tribune]
“Old Masters Reemerge for London Summer Sales” [Amy Page, ARTINFO]

“Turner, Hals Works Sold in 51.5 Million-Pound Sotheby’s Auction” [Scott Reyburn, Bloomberg]

“Sotheby’s old masters sales fetches [...]

“A Watteau sets record at £12.36 million in an uneven Old Masters sale” [Souren Melikian, International Herald Tribune]
“Lost Watteau Fetches Record, Old Masters Languish at Christie’s” [Scott Reyburn, Bloomberg]
“Quick Takes: Art buyers find “lost” works” [LA Times]
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Christie’s official results: Sale 5431/Old Master Pictures
Christie’s official results: Sale 7610/Old Master Pictures Day Sale
Christie’s official results: [...]

OMNP previews Thursday’s Day and Evening sales of Old Master paintings at Sotheby’s, New Bond Street. Read below for a full breakdown and analysis of selected lots in three different price ranges (High End, Middle End, Low End.)
While it will probably not match the exorbitant price paid for Watteau’s “La Surprise” , OMNP’s choice for [...]

OMNP takes a look at Christie’s upcoming sales of Old Master paintings and British pictures, this Wednesday and Friday in London. Click MORE below for a full breakdown and analysis of selected lots in three different price ranges (High End, Middle End, Low End.) Click on each image to be redirected to Christie’s website [...]