Fine Art Blog

Author: admin

  • Impressionist and Modern Art auction at Christie’s Fine Art Auction House (London)

    On 18th of June a sale of ‘Impressionist and Modern Art’ at Christie’s Art Auction House, London, reached a landmark total for value of art sold: £121,127,200/ $239,952,983 / €178,056,984, beating the all time total for an auction sale in Europe. I think the total is incredible & shows how strong the top end of the World’s art market remains & the demand for the French impressionist Claude Monet’s work. (see below)

    Some interesting stats as well; buyers by country (by lot) were:
    Europe (excluding UK) 56%, United Kingdom (UK) 22%, Americas 21%, Asia 1%.

    ‘Waterloo Bridge, temps couvert, 1904′ by Claude Monet:

    Waterloo Bridge, temps couvert by artist Claude Monet

    ‘Waterloo Bridge, temps couvert, 1904′ by Claude Monet (1840-1926) was the top lot of the evening was which sold for £17,940,000/ $35,539,140 / €26,497,380, the second highest price reached for a Monet in £ Sterling at an auction & the highest ever Dollar $ price.

    The evening’s auctioneer Jussi Pylkkänen, who is also President of Christie’s Europe, stated:

    “This evening’s sale at Christie’s was a landmark event in the history of the art market, realising the highest total for any auction ever held in Europe. The international art market congregated at Christie’s saleroom in London this evening as an ever increasing international group of collectors fought for the exceptional selection of works. The top work of the sale was bought by a private American collector, with 6 of the other top 10 works were won by private European collectors.

    ‘Les arceaux de roses, Giverny (Les arceaux fleuris), 1913’ by Claude Monet:

    Les arceaux de roses, Giverny (Les arceaux fleuris) by artist Claude Monet

    The above painting: ‘Les arceaux de roses, Giverny (Les arceaux fleuris)’ by Claude Monet was lot 11. Painted in 1913, this oil on canvas is 32 ¼’’ x 37’’ inches in size and was estimated at £9,000,000 – 12,000,000. In the end it sold for a staggering: £8,980,000/ $17,789,380/ €13,263,460.

    Olivier Camu, International Director and Head of Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie’s, London stated:

    “Today’s results reflect the continuing confidence and depth of the art market, with thirty works selling for over £1 million and forty-six works over $1 million. The results underlines Christie’s position as the world’s leading art business as we continue to present the best works of art and to invest in the new markets of Russia, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the traditional markets of Europe and North America. We look forward to tomorrow’s Impressionist & Modern Art Day Sales as well as to Wednesday’s Evening Sale of Post War & Contemporary Art.”

    Further reading/images:

    http://www.christies.com/features/jun07/7404/overview.asp
    http://www.christies.com/features/jun07/7404/gallery/overview.asp

    thank you

    Russell

  • Irish landscape artist Philip Gray

    I have been studying the limited editions of newly published Irish artist Philip Gray, who is now considered to be one of Ireland’s most celebrated living artists.

    These are dramatic and powerful images that have a resonance all of their own, unlike other limited editions that have come before.

    Reverie I by artist Philip Gray

    While established UK (published) landscape artists, such as Lawrence Coulson, have their own style of landscape painting that they are known and loved for, Philip Gray is taking that ‘style’ and departing on his own artistic path.

    Most of his current paintings display a movement, within the sea or sky, showing dramatic colour changes that really make the picture come to life & evolve infront of your eyes.

    It maybe that the colours (often very deep ones) & the combination of colours that he paints with, in themselves, are key elements in creating his own distinct style. Personally I find this sort of work very appealing.

    World Of Light III by artist Philip Gray

    Philip was recently voted Up & Coming Published Artist 2007 in May this year
    at The Art & Framing Industry Awards. Please see my other post: The Art & Framing Industry Awards – 2007

    Therefore he must be appealing to quite a broad spectrum of art buyers.

    thank you

    Russell

  • New software for Art Galleries & Businesses – employee work & expense tracking

    I recently found an excellent web based ’employee time tracking’ software called ‘1time’ – which is intended for business purposes, art galleries included of course! and their website is here: 1timetracking.com

    1timetracking - Business online Time Tracking Software

    This software has multiple capabilities and relevance for business. It keeps track of what your staff are doing day to day, the expense of those staff and the expenses of different projects you may have running. Particularly relevant if you are a business owner and are not in work every day – what a joy that must be! It’s very easy to use and the neat thing about it is that its web based – so u can use it from any location.

    1timetracking - Business online Time Tracking Software

    Here’s some info from the website:

    “What is 1time? – 1time is a web-based time and expense tracking application that allows you to easily keep track of real time project costs.

    How can 1time help us? – 1time will reduce non billable time in your company. Each employee gets their own login and reminders so you don’t have to micro manage recording timesheets.”

    1timetracking - Business online Time Tracking Software

    Pricing is in Euros but u can easily convert that to your own currency using www.xe.com. The 1 person version is free to use and gives you a good feel for the product. I found it very easy to use and now use the full version amongst our gallery staff.

    They are constantly developing the software and they even have their own blog. I recommend trying the free 1 person version and see how easy it is to use.

    1time website and blog:

    http://1timetracking.com/
    http://blog.1time.ie/

    thank you

    Russell

  • Bruce Mckay – Canadian contemporary cat artist – Part 1

    I have recently had some contact with Canadian artist Bruce Mckay aka BAM (Bruce Andrew Mckay) who runs a really good blog at bigcatheads.blogspot.com

    His blog is packed full of interesting information and links to art and art news & is full of images of his wonderful original paintings. The colours are absolutely gorgeous on these pictures which are naive, fun and humourous. Instinctively I think cat lovers & owners will gravitate towards them.

    Mouser by artist Bruce Mckay

    Bruce has so far had 6 of his artworks published as limited edition prints published by Washington Green Fine Art publishers and over time these have been very well received. How anyone could look at these and not smile I don’t know!

    Kissy Face by artist Bruce Mckay

    Bruce’s website & blog are located here:
    http://www.bigcatheads.com
    http://bigcatheads.blogspot.com

    thank you

    Russell