OMNP takes a look at some of the highlights of Old Master paintings up for auction this week at Christie’s and Sotheby’s in New York.
A fantastic selection of works on both sides, however Sotheby’s is offering a veritable cornucopia from all ages and periods; headed up by a Mannerist masterpiece by Hendrick Goltzius, (lot [...]

As the feature of an exhibition,16th century religious altarpieces by Paolo Veronese can make for arcane subject matter. This is all well and good for the Old Masters connoisseur. But how does one reach the interests of the masses, whose knowledge of art history is scant at best?
Such an exhibition is currently ongoing at the [...]

These days, announcements of Leonardo discoveries are rather routine. Details surrounding two of the latest cases however-the sudden cooperation of the notorious Italian bureacracy on a long delayed Leonardo excavation, and the use of forensic technology to confirm a previously dubious claim, continue to have us expecting the unexpected.
In 1563, [...]

Amidst financial uncertainty, Old Masters dealers may have been nervous over the past few weeks  heading into their biggest sales event of the year. The prestigious and widely acclaimed TEFAF [The European Fine Art Fair]  has grown to account for a critical portion of annual turnover. In  lieu of Old Masters’ price stability over the [...]

747 Dyck, Sir Anthony van (follower, 17th ct.). The Apostel Paulus. Oil/oak.

706 Tamm, Franz Werner von called Monsù Daprait (attr.). A still life of Game in a Landscape. Oil/canvas canvas.

688 Italy, 17th ct. Still Life of Flowers and Fruits. A Fragment. Oil/canvas/panel.

7 Greuze, Jean-Baptiste (attr.). Amor. Oil/oak.

678 Heil, Daniel van. A Conflagration Outside [...]

OMNP previews Sotheby’s New York sale of Old Master Paintings, from January 29-30

OMNP details the recent year that was Old Masters news, sales, and exhibitions.
News Highlights
Christie’s and Sotheby’s Old Master auctions are successes in spite of the art market’s recent struggles
England attempts to save its own “Mona Lisa,” Titian’s “Diana and Acteon,” from being sold on the open market, by raising the funds to meet [...]

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 [...]

A £5.7m bargain
The suspense presiding over the fate of Pieter Paul Ruben’s sketch “Apotheosis of James I”, as covered by OMNP here came to an end this week, as the UK was able to retain what was described as a “unique treasure in the history of British art” for half of its estimated value. Pooling [...]

A gorgeous M+C from the Bellini showcase in Rome.
When it comes to Old Masters paintings, OMNP sometimes finds that living stateside is akin to going to movie theater in the ‘burbs- your’e going to get some of the big releases, but your certainly not going to get all of them. Click MORE to read through [...]

OMNP lists a few more exhibitions hitting up the big museums in the US and Europe in the upcoming months. Links are below. Newslinks have been updated on the right, as well.
US
Exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook and other priceless Renaissance artifacts from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in “Medieval and Renaissance [...]

For the Old World, cultural pride is regularly reinvigorated when historic paintings threaten to skip across a country’s borders. In a less restrictive marketplace such as the UK, prices for top-flight Old Masters are at a premium, and owners of works that have come to symbolize the country’s rich artistic heritage have considered cashing in. [...]

The review for the Turner retrospective at the Met will be posted shortly. And you can now find information and contact pages for OMNP above the NEWS section.
A few news links and topics of interest for the weekend:
Artists Represent Most Powerful Emotion: Love at the National Gallery in London [Art Daily]

The National Gallery [...]

Aside from the Turner and Goya shows mentioned in previous posts, here are some notable OM shows in the US and Europe to check out this Summer. OMNP commentary to be incrementally added later. Click MORE below for the listings.
SIDENOTE: The OMNP travel budget is a tad low at the moment, [...]

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 [...]

Sotheby’s Official Results, Sale L08040/Old Master Drawings
OMNP finds it a bit amusing that while the sale of the Goya drawings being sold over at Christie’s received a fair amount of press coverage, there was no mention of Sotheby’s sale of the Parmigianino drawing, shown above. The estimate on this lot can be chalked up [...]

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 offers up a preview of Wednesday’s Old Master Drawings sale at Sotheby’s, New Bond Street. 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 Sotheby’s website for a full description of each [...]