Masterpiece London 2018, Royal Hospital Chelsea, South Grounds, London SW3 4LW, 28th June – 4th July 2018 (Preview: Wednesday 27th June)

A CHELSEA PIETA Circa 1761 Modelled by Joseph Willems (born in Brussels, 1715, died in Tournai, Belgium, 1766) 38.5 cm high Gold Anchor mark to reverse. E & H Manners

It really shows how time flies when one considers that the first Masterpiece was held in 2010 and hasn’t it continued to provide a scintillating cross-section of all the arts whether ancient, contemporary, fine or decorative? This year’s Fair, with its ‘reworked layout’ will no doubt see many collectors, curators and first-time buyers visit as well as those who just want to experience seeing the best on offer.

I have included a small selection of pieces which have particularly caught my eye.

An 18th Century German ormolu mounted marquetry commode in the manner of DavidRoentgen, the marble a later replacement, c. 1780. Measurements: w: 52.8” (134cm), h: 34.6” (88cm), d: 28.7” (73cm). Edward Hurst Ltd

Opening hours:

Preview (by invitation) on Wednesday 27 June, 11am – 9pm

Thursday 28 June, 11am – 9pm

Friday 29 June, 11am – 9pm

Saturday 30 June, 11am – 7pm

Sunday 1 July, 11am – 7pm

Monday 2 July, 11am – 9pm

Tuesday 3 July, 11am – 9pm

Wednesday 4 July, 11am – 9pm

RBC are the Principal Sponsor of Masterpiece London 2018.

William Turnbull, Pandora, 1958-62, 156.2 x 120.6 x 22.9 cm. New Art Centre

3. SJP - 18th century German carved gold mounted quartz box, attributed to Hoffmann

An 18th century German gold mounted quartz box, attributed to Friedrich Ludwig Hoffmann, Berlin c.1760. S. J. Phillips

Mario Dilitz, Austrian, b.1973 Boxing Boy with long Shorts (Artwork No. 174), Oak and red glue, 2018, 6 unique versions 96cm h x 35cm w x 20cm d, Sladmore Contemporary

An Egyptian Limestone Bust of Bes Ptolemaic, Circa 3rd – 2nd Century BC? Kallos Gallery

Claude Monet Le Bassin Aux Nymphéas Painted: circa 1918-20 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 381⁄4” x 51” / 97cm x 130cm. Gladwell & Patterson

4. KRA - Pair of Louis XVI dishes on stands, Paris, 1785

A striking pair of Louis XVI dishes on stands made in Paris in 1785 and 1789 by the French silversmiths Henri Auguste and Robert Joseph Auguste. Engraved with the coronet and monogram of the infamous Harriet, Duchess of St Albans. Warmers added by Paul Storr in 1811. Koopman Rare Art

An exceptional and large pair of nodding figures which are one of a very small number of known pairs retaining their original costumes. Chinese, Circa 1821-1850. Height 26” 66cm. Apter-Fredericks Ltd

http://www.masterpiecefair.com;

Instagram: @masterpiecelondon; Twitter: @MasterpieceFair;

Facebook: Masterpiece London

The Salisbury Museum: Goliath, until 1st June 2018

May4

Goliath 5 April 2018 The name Goliath conjures up various images in one’s mind – large imposing, strong, unbeatable – and therefore you could be excused for envisioning a statue even larger than Michelangelo’s ‘David’ in Florence. Well the celebrated sculptor Johannes von Stumm, a former President of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, offers a different approach.

Goliath 1 May 2018 His ‘Goliath’ stands on the ‘Wessex Plinth’ outside Salisbury Museum and its form recalls the standing stones of this area. It is of West Country granite combined with a glass head which recalls the actual fragility of Goliath against the stone from David’s sling.

Politics is a vocation where one can see “Goliath-like” figures rise to an almost unassailable prominence and then as most recently seen in this Government be brought down quickly but fortunately not as permanently as David did so many centuries ago.

www.salisburymuseum.org.uk

www.vonstumm.co.uk

www.gardengallery.uk.com

BOOK REVIEW: Longford Castle

Mar15

Longford Castle: The Treasures & The Collectors

Amelia Smith

ISBN: 9781910787687

Publisher: Unicorn

£40.00

Longford full jkt draft latest.indd

I first learnt about Longford Castle and some of its treasures in an article in the 1968 Country Life Annual and have wanted to know more about it ever since. Well now both you and I can find out more in this fascinating book which is both well-written and well-illustrated.

Dating from Elizabethan times the house was acquired by the Bouverie family in 1717 and the story of how they built up the outstanding art collection which consists of Old Masters and family portraits – think Holbein, Claude, Reynolds and Gainsborough – is skilfully interwoven with the tale of the furnishings and decorations of the castle’s rooms which form the backdrop to the paintings. It really is a celebration and a history of this great collection and house and is such a delight. It is a book I will return to time and time again!

http://unicornpublishing.org/

Feline remembrances!

Sep21

The Art of Steven Campbell, Marlborough Fine Art, Albemarle Street, London W1, until 21^st October 2017

Steven Campbell,
Alice in Ruins, 1992-93,
oil on canvas, 269.9 x 263.7 cm,
Copyright the Estate of Steven Campbell, Courtesy Marlborough Fine Art

The retrospective on this highly acclaimed Scottish artist who sadly died in 2007 amply proves why he is so highly regarded by his peers and critics alike. I was particularly drawn to this picture.

The look on the cat’s face so reminded me of a cat I used to have. It is the look I would get just before he would attempt to climb the bedroom curtains if he thought he was not getting the attention he deserved at 6.30am. Both curtains and cat survived for many years!

http://www.marlboroughlondon.com

THE LAPADA FAIR 2017

Sep13

LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1, 15th-20th September 2017

Once again Mayfair’s Berkeley Square plays host to the LAPADA Fair – can you believe it’s their ninth year there, time really does go by quickly?

Among the 110 plus participants at the fair bringing a tempting mixture of art and antiques from all periods is Mackinnon Fine Furniture and I thought you would be interested to see this pair of George II chairs known as the Newhailes House Armchairs which they are showing at the Fair. Dating from c1750-55 their mahogany frames are beautifully carved and pierced and have Chinoiserie stretchers. They are upholstered in their original signed Aubusson tapestry covers.

The chairs, originally a set of four, were acquired by the first Lord Hailes at a sale of the contents of his aunt’s house in Greek Street and remained at Newhailes House until c1928. They were in various American collections, including the Walter P Chrysler Collection.

Slightly earlier in date are these very important George II mahogany armchairs of c1745 which come from Warwick Castle and were part of suite acquired in the 18^th century for the castle and where some can still be seen in the Cedar Drawing Room. They are upholstered in early 18^th century Genoese silk velvet.

Whoever buys these chairs is going to be very lucky and have many years pleasure in owning them.

www.mackinnonfineart.com

http://lapadalondon.com

The 2017 20/21 British Art Fair

Sep11

The 20/21 British Art Fair, Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1, 13^th– 17^th September 2017

Rose Hilton – Self Portrait with Model,
Oil on Canvas, 72 x 92 cm.

After a year’s absence – its old venue was no longer available – this popular Fair returns to central London. Its new venue is the Mall Galleries so very central indeed.

Ken Smith – Free Fall,
Hopton Wood Stone, 25 x 10 x 10 cm

The thirty-three leading dealers taking part bring a fine selection of works, especially Modern and Post War pieces. I have taken this opportunity to show some works from Messum’s who were founded in 1963 and specialise in paintings and sculpture.

David Blackburn (1939 – 2016) Gasometer and Orange Sky,
Pastel, 37 x 41 cm

http://www.britishartfair.co.uk

The New Artist Fair

Sep6

The New Artist Fair, The Old Truman Brewery, Ely’s Yard, London E1 6QR, 8^th – 10^th September 2017

PhotoX First Prize
Matthew Joseph
River People, Louis

Next weekend this Fair returns for the seventh year to the Old Truman Brewery bringing with it the opportunity to buy directly from emerging painters, sculptors, print makers and photographers. With prices ranging from £50 to £2,000 it provides an opportunity to dip your toes into the world of art collecting. It’s certainly fun!

Friday 8^th: 6pm to 9pm (ticketed) Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th: 12pm to 6pm (free entry)

Rian Hotton
Brockwell Lido

www.newartistfair.com

BOOK REVIEW: AMERICA COLLECTS EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY FRENCH PAINTING

Sep1

AMERICA COLLECTS EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY FRENCH PAINTING

Yuriko Jackall et al

£50.00 GBP

ISBN: 9781848222342

Regular readers will have ascertained that I am drawn to the arts of 18^th century France in all their forms and so it will come as no surprise that I am bringing this book to your attention. American collectors such as the Wrightsmans, Forsyth Wickes and others have long held my interest and now here is the chance to celebrate Americans collecting French 18^th century paintings through this well-illustrated volume.

Through a series of essays by noted authors and scholars such as Pierre Rosenberg, Robert Schindler, Joseph J. Rishel and Susan Earle various aspects of American collecting and taste are discussed. I am particularly grateful for the piece on Eugenia Woodward Hitt of whom I had known little. This is a book which I will return to again and again with relish.

www.lundhumphries.com

“It’s Art Call 2017” Winner Solo Exhibition

Aug31

“It’s Art Call 2017” Winner Solo Exhibition, D Contemporary Gallery 23 Grafton Street London W1, 31^st August-9^th September 2017

Ian Rayer-Smith
‘Attention Seeker’
Mixed media on board

Last year saw the launch of the new prize “It’s Art Call” by D Contemporary in collaboration with The Cult House which offers emerging artists the chance to exhibit at a Mayfair gallery.

Ian Rayer-Smith
‘Haphazard’
Mixed media on panel

This year’s winner is Ian Rayer-Smith who says of his work: “I like my paintings to carry an emotional charge, not only in its subject matter but also through the energy and visceral nature of the materials I use. Soft and amorphous, they accentuate the tactile feel of nature, avoiding any sense of repetition so as to constantly offer something new”

Hope you can get along to see them for yourself!

Ian Rayer-Smith
‘Hopper’
Mixed media on board

http://ianrayersmith.com/

http://dcontemporary.com/its-art-call-2017-solo-exhibition/

OUT & ABOUT – Ben Brown Fine Arts

Aug30

Rob and Nick Carter – Bronze Oak Grove after Jacob de Gheyn
Photo credit: Tom Carter, 2017.
© the Artist. Courtesy Ben Brown Fine Arts, London.

Inspired by the Dutch artist Jacob de Gheyn II (1565–1629) Rob and Nick Carter have used modern technology to create this grove of nine patinated bronze tree stumps. They celebrate the ever-popular oak tree and are designed to be used interactively by the public for relaxation and contemplation. They can be found on the North Flower Walk in Kensington Gardens until 30^th September. The Marlborough Gate is the best entrance to use.