Rosalba Carriera Pastel at Cheffins
September 9 2025
Picture: Cheffins
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A Rosalba Carriera pastel portrait of Coulson Fellowes (1696-1769) will be headlining the upcoming Cheffins Fine Sale on 17th September 2025. Executed in May 1724, when the sitter visited Carriera's studio in Venice, this is the first time the picture has ever been offered on the market and will carry an estimate of £15,000 - 25,000.
Hilliard Miniature of Earl of Southampton Rediscovered
September 9 2025
Picture: The Guardian
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
I'm a little slow to news that broke over the weekend of a rediscovered miniature of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, by Nicholas Hilliard. Southampton is known for his friendship with William Shakespeare and may have been the 'fair youth' whom the bard dedicated many sonnets. The miniature, rediscovered by Emma Rutherford and supported by research from Dr Elizabeth Goldring, also bears a mysterious defaced heart on the reverse. Click on the link above the read more.
John Michael Wright – Conservation and Context at Hatfield House
September 9 2025
Picture: Hatfield House
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Hatfield House in Hertfordshire will be hosting a lecture on 17th October 2025 on the recent conservation and research of John Michael Wright's Portrait of James Cecil, 4th Earl of Salisbury, and his sister Catherine (pictured). Speakers will include Nicole Ryder, Susan North, Karen Hearn and Holly Tatham.
According to their website:
The event will feature a panel of experts who will explore the painting’s restoration within the broader context of Wright’s oeuvre and 17th-century British material culture. This is a rare opportunity to view an important example of Wright’s work, which is not normally on public display.
Click on the link above to find out how to book tickets.
Michelangelo and Men at the Teylers Museum
September 9 2025
Video: Teylers Museum
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Teylers Museum in Haarlem will be opening their latest exhibition Michelangelo and Men later in October.
According to their website:
Five hundred and fifty years after his birth, Teylers Museum is paying homage to one of the most celebrated artists in history. From 15 October 2025 up to and including 25 January 2026, 'Michelangelo and Men' is on display: an exhibition about the fascination of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) with the male body. An international first: never before has an exhibition been entirely dedicated to this theme. More than twenty drawings from the collection of Teylers Museum will be supplemented with top-class international loans, including the marble sculpture 'Apollo-David'. All these works combined shed new light on the glorious leading role the male body played in both the life and art of Michelangelo.
The National Gallery to start collecting Contemporary Art
September 9 2025
Picture: The National Gallery, London
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Big announcements this morning that The National Gallery in London will be planning a £400m extension and will be heading up a new acquisitions policy in collaboration with Tate that will see the scrapping of its 1900 cut-off date. The gallery has already quietly raised £375m for the building project, which will include the demotion of St Vincent House located at the rear of the site to make way for the new galleries. A competition for its design will open on 12th September 2025.
According to The Art Newspaper:
Finaldi envisages the 20th-century collection as starting with the later French Impressionists, then the arrival of Picasso and Matisse, the Italian Futurists, German Expressionists, Surrealists, American Abstract Expressionists, and up to the near the present, with a good chronological and geographical spread. No longer will the gallery’s collection be almost entirely European.
The 20th-century collection will be built up with both acquisitions and loans. Acquisitions will be dependent on raising yet more funding. To assist with loans, Finaldi intends to approach the estates of leading artists. With Tate, there would hopefully be an even greater exchange of loans between the two galleries.
Update - Here's the official press release from the NG.
Update 2 - Here is a thread on 'X' with Bendor's own thoughts.
Upcoming Release: Painting in Paris at the dawn of the Grand Siècle (1590–1620)
September 8 2025
Picture: Arthena
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The publishers Arthena will be releasing a new tome dedicated to Painting in Paris at the dawn of the Grand Siècle (1590–1620) on 15th November 2025. The volume, which spans over 500 pages, was penned by Vladimir Nestorov and contains a dictionary of the 300 or so painters who were active in Paris during this much misunderstood period of French art.
Rediscovered Laurent de La Hyre Coming Up in November
September 8 2025
Picture: La Gazette Drouot
Posted by Adam Busiakeiwicz:
La Gazette Drouot have drawn attention to a rediscovered early work by Laurent de La Hyre which is coming up for sale in November. The picture, which was last recorded in a mid-seventeenth century inventory, will be offered by Hôtel des Ventes Orléans- Madeleine carrying an estimate of €500,000 - 800,000.
Double Vermeer at Kenwood
September 8 2025
Picture: Smithsonian Magazine
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Here's the coverage of the newly opened Double Vision: Vermeer at Kenwood from the Smithsonian Magazine. The show, which invites visitors to make up their own minds about the authorship of the Philadelphia painting (right), will run until 11th January 2026.
Browse and Bid from the Back?
September 8 2025
Picture: Hampel via The Saleroom
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A reader has been in touch with a new technique that Hampel are trying out with their upcoming September Old Master Paintings auction. Instead of showing potential bidders the front of the pictures, they have opted for leading with images of their backs instead. Will this new fashion catch on? The auction will take place on 25th September 2025.
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On a more serious note, and as someone who has dealt with such conundrums, I'm certain that there is a sales manager / administrator who pulling their hair out on the phone to an IT department somewhere near Munich right now.
Upcoming Release: European Sculpture in the Collection of His Majesty The King
September 7 2025
Picture: yale.edu
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Exciting news that on 14th October 2025 Yale Books be publishing Jonathan Marsden's complete catalogue of European Sculpture in The Royal Collection.
According to the book's blurb:
This four-volume publication marks the completion of one of the most ambitious stages in the long-term task of cataloguing sculpture in the Royal Collection.
The scope of the catalogue – covering sculpture in all materials from the fifteenth to the late twentieth century – is unprecedented. Incorporating countless new attributions and identifications and the results of conservation and scientific examination, the catalogue will be an indispensable work of reference for all students of post-medieval sculpture, impressive not only in the quality of its scholarship but also for the extent and depth of the documentation. Highlights include an exceptional group of bronze busts from the Italian and Northern Renaissance, the first bronze casts of ancient sculpture to be made in Britain, the best ensemble of French seventeenth- and eighteenth-century bronzes outside France, unrivalled examples of English portrait sculpture from the seventeenth century onwards and the most complete surviving collection of Victorian sculpture.
With an introductory survey covering the relationships between British monarchs and sculptors since the seventeenth century and the impact of sculpture in the interiors of the royal palaces over the same period, the admirably clear and engaging text is essential reading for students of royal collecting. It is accompanied by almost 2,000 illustrations, most of which have been commissioned for this book.
As ever with such worthy cataloguing projects, this effort will earn Marsden a place in the much-coveted 'Heroes of Art History' section of this blog.
An Artemisia for the Nivågård’s Malerisamling
September 7 2025
Picture: Nivågård’s Malerisamling
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Nivågård’s Malerisamling in Denmark have announced their acquisition of Artemisia Gentileschi's Susanna and the Elders. Dated to 1644-48, the work was acquired with support from the New Carlsberg Foundation and Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond, and had most recently been with the New York art dealer Nicholas Hall. The Italian press purports that the picture last sold at auction for 415,000 EUR back in 2007.
The Grand Tour at the Mauritshuis
September 7 2025
Picture: mauritshuis.nl
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Mauritshuis in The Hague will be opening a new exhibition later this month with a selection of Grand Tour treasures from UK Stately Homes.
According to their website:
The Grand Tour – Destination Italy takes you back to the 17th and 18th century, when young British aristocrats would set out on a multi-year educational journey across Europe upon completion of their studies, with Italy as the ultimate final destination. They liked to take home tangible memories for their British (country) houses – but instead of photographs or postcards, they fancied a portrait of themselves, cityscapes or Roman sculptures.
You can view these 'souvenirs' during the exhibition at the Mauritshuis. By rare exception, we have a number of masterpieces on loan from the monumental British country houses of Burghley House, Holkham Hall and Woburn Abbey.
The show will run from 18th September 2025 until 4th January 2026.
Catalogue Old Masters at Sotheby's
September 7 2025
Picture: Sothebys.com
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Old Master Paintings Department at Sotheby's London are hiring a Temporary Cataloguer.
Here's a list of the responsibilities:
RESPONSIBLITIES
-Cataloguing and researching items for the Old Master Paintings Day and Mid-season auctions as well as valuations, encompassing European paintings from the late 13th to early 19th centuries
-Researching and cataloguing of objects to the highest standard according to scheduled deadlines
-Corresponding and establishing relationships with external experts, while also following up and managing outstanding research enquiries
-Assisting with condition reports for the lots on offer
-Being involved in all aspects of our auctions throughout the year, including digital catalogue production, lot order finalisation, proofreading, colour-checking, producing marketing material and editorial content, assisting with exhibition layout and set-up, staffing exhibition, and targeting potential bidders
-Helping with day-to-day client enquiries at the counter, through the online enquiry portal, by email and on the telephone
-Maintaining excellence in client service when responding to estimate enquiries, general correspondence and photo requests
-Assisting with the maintenance of the OMP and 19th Century Paintings libraries and archive systems
-Assisting the Senior Experts with the research of paintings for valuations, proposals and other purposes
-Operating at all times in accordance with the company’s rules on compliance and corporate Governance.
Applications must be in by 12th September 2025 and no salary has been indicated.
Good luck if you're applying!
Head of Research Job at The British Museum
September 7 2025
Picture: The British Musuem
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The British Museum are hiring a Head of Research, Archives and Libraries.
According to the job description:
The British Museum is looking for a visionary leader to join its Collection Directorate as Head of Research, Archives and Libraries. In this critical role, you will shape and deliver the Museum’s vision for research, ensuring the Museum has one of the world’s most researched, accessible and visible collections.
This high-impact role offers the opportunity to shape the Museum’s world-class research, catalysing research across all areas of the Museum at a pivotal time in its history. You will drive improvements across archive and library services, forge meaningful partnerships internally and externally, and champion income-generating initiatives that align with the Museum’s strategic objectives.
The job comes with an annual salary of £77,816 per annum and applications must be in by 29th September 2025.
Good luck if you're applying!
NHS University Hospitals Bristol Foundation Trust Selling Off Historic Art
September 5 2025
Picture: Clevedon Salerooms
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Earlier in the summer AHN shared news that the NHS Hull & East Yorkshire Trust were selling off a selection of historic portraits from their collection.
A reader of this blog has been in touch with news that the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust seem to have decided to follow suit and are selling off no fewer than 14 historic portraits of figures connected with Bristol's medical heritage. The selection of paintings, which are still on the ArtUK website (although sans images), will be offered for sale by Clevedon Salesrooms on 11th September 2025.
To quote the auction house's catalogue note which accompanies each hospital-sourced lot:
This lot is offered by Clevedon Salerooms at no selling cost from the Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity collection, and is being sold in line with their heritage assets policy.
The relevant NHS Trust has been contacted for comment on the sale.
Latest Burlington Issue
September 4 2025
Picture: burlington.org.uk
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Burlington Magazine's September Edition is dedicated to Italian art.
Here's a list of the main articles featured within:
A Botticelli fragment in Mexico City - By Christopher Daly
An early maiolica dish by Nicola da Urbino: attribution and provenance - By Celia Curnow
Reconstructing Luca Signorelli’s Matelica altarpiece - By Tom Henry
An unpublished drawing of the Fonseca Chapel: a ‘destroyed’ idea by Gian Lorenzo Bernini - By Marco Coppolaro
Canaletto’s use of drawings of Venetian buildings by Antonio Visentini -By Gregorio Astengo, Philip Steadman
Luca Signorelli in Cortona - By Serena Nocentini
Joan Carlile at Freize 2025
September 4 2025
Picture: Philip Mould & Co. / lawsons.com.au
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The dealers Philip Mould & Co. have announced on their website that they will be revealing a rediscovered work by Joan Carlile at Frieze 2025 (which opens on 15th October). Regular readers will remember the painting which came up for sale in Australia at the beginning of this year.
Click on the link above to see a better image of the freshly cleaned work, which is rather beautiful in the details.
George Villiers Study Day
September 4 2025
Picture: leicestershirecollections.org.uk
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Leicestershire County Council Museum Services are hosting a study day on George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, at the Melton Carnegie Museum in Melton Mowbray on Thursday 18th September 2025. The study day follows new research and restoration on a previously neglected portrait of the Duke, which has now been attributed to Paul van Somer and dated to about 1619 (see above).
Here's a list of the speakers and topics covered:
- Lucy Hughes-Hallett, author of The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham;
- Dr Megan Shaw, University of Auckland, on Katherine Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham;
- Professor Karen Hearn, UCL, on the early portraits of George Villiers, including the little-known Melton Carnegie portrait of c.1619;
- Jon Sleigh, Learning Curator & Alison Clague, Senior Curator, Culture Leicestershire, on Villiers Revealed;
- Professor Maria Hayward, University of Southampton, on George Villiers’s clothing in the context of the Jacobean court.
Here's a video published on YouTube which explains more about the restoration of the painting.
Upcoming Release: The Story of Tudor Art
September 4 2025
Picture: Bloomsbury
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The publishers Bloomsbury have announced that they will be releasing a new volume entitled The Story of Tudor Art at the end of this month. The new book has been penned by the scholar Christina J. Faraday.
According to the blurb:
In this unique and beautiful book, Christina Faraday uses art – paintings, sculpture, prints, tapestries, embroideries, clothes, jewels and household objects – to investigate every facet of the period. Beside dissecting familiar portraits of Tudor kings, queens and nobles, Faraday casts a forensic eye across a dynamic array of artefacts, giving the reader a vivid and detailed feel for the political, social, economic and cultural texture of sixteenth-century England.
Upcoming: Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600-1750
September 4 2025
Picture: nmwa.org
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC will be opening their latest exhibition Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600-1750 later this month.
According to the museum's website:
Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600-1750 showcases a broad range of work by more than forty Dutch and Flemish women artists, including Gesina ter Borch, Maria Faydherbe, Anna Maria de Koker, Judith Leyster, Magdalena van de Passe, Clara Peeters, Rachel Ruysch, Maria Tassaert, Jeanne Vergouwen, Michaelina Wautier, and more. Presenting an array of paintings, lace, prints, paper cuttings, embroidery, and sculpture, this exhibition draws on recent scholarship to demonstrate that a full view of women’s contributions to the artistic economy is essential to understanding Dutch and Flemish visual culture of the period.
The show will run from 26th September 2025 until 11th January 2025 and will then reopen at the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, Belgium, in March.
