London Art Week celebrates Raphael
The second annual London Art Week Symposium celebrates Renaissance artist Raphael (1483-1520) on the 500th anniversary of his death.
The symposium takes place during the winter edition of LAW, which runs from November 26-December 4.
LAW is organising it with Ana Debenedetti, curator of paintings and lead curator of the Raphael Cartoons project at the V&A.
Subjects include the impact of coronavirus restrictions on anniversary celebrations, collecting the artist’s works and his legacy.
LAW takes place at galleries in London’s Mayfair and St James’s with a digital event added over the summer.
During October, LAW will hold a special event focusing on two themes: women artists and framing. It includes a programme of special exhibitions as well as online talks and videos.
Latest lockdown: trade unaffected
The latest government crackdown on social gatherings does not impact trade of art and antiques. The number of people allowed to meet socially is being reduced from September 14 in England, Scotland and Wales, amid a rise in Covid-19 cases.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “education and work settings are unaffected” by the new rules so “gatherings for work or education purposes” can go ahead.
He also announced the government is reviewing plans to open conference centres and indoor venues, which may lead to changes for some planned art and antiques events later this year. He said the government would issue an update on this in due course.
Different rules apply in an area under local lockdown and the regulations vary across devolved nations.
Dealer reveals his Hokusai deal role
London dealer Israel Goldman has revealed that he was behind the sale of a large group of drawings by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760- 1849) recently acquired by the British Museum (News Digest, ATG No 2458).
The collection comprised 103 block-ready drawings dated to 1829 for an illustrated book that was never published.
Goldman told ATG he acquired the drawings when they were offered at a Piasa auction last June. Despite a provenance back to Art Nouveau jeweller Henri Vever and a signed and dated preface, they had been attributed to Katsushika Isai (1821-80), a minor Hokusai pupil, and were offered with an estimate of €15,000-20,000.
The dealer ultimately secured them for a hammer price of €110,000 (€136,500 including commission). They were acquired by the British Museum for £270,000 with support from the Art Fund.
The collection joins an impression of Hokusai’s Great Wave which Goldman also sold to the museum.
Trade impact of virus underlined
According to the latest Art Basel and UBS mid-year survey, The Impact of Covid-19 on the Gallery Sector, sales contracted by an average of 36% in the first half of 2020.
The majority of galleries expected sales to continue to decrease this year, with only 21% expecting a recovery in the second half.
The report was put together by Dr Clare McAndrew, founder of Arts Economics, and it surveyed 795 galleries operating in the Modern and Contemporary Art sectors, representing 60 different national markets.
There was more optimism for 2021 with 45% of galleries expecting sales to increase from 2020. Internet sales are growing ever-more important in this sector with 37% of total sales made online in the first half of 2020, up from 10% in 2019.
The report found 72% of the galleries surveyed increased the content offered through their websites and other online channels compared to the previous year, while 69% increased their social media activity.
Miller joins the Freeman’s team
Kimberly Miller of Freeman’s.
Freeman’s in Philadelphia has hired Kimberly Miller to become the new head of its trusts and estates and collections department.
Miller previously worked in New York and London and has 15 years of experience in the museum and auction industry, including as head of 20th century design at Sotheby’s New York.
Cheffins makes jewellery hire
Fay Roach of Cheffins.
Cheffins has hired Fay Roach as jewellery and watches specialist. She has previously worked in London’s Hatton Garden in the jewellery and watch retail sector.
Most read
The most viewed stories for week September 3-9 on antiquestradegazette.com
1 British Museum buys collection of 103 Hokusai drawings rediscovered in Paris
2 Chinese dish owned by the ‘Jade king of Singapore’ stars in our pick of five auction highlights
3 North London studio sale of Italian artist comes to Dawsons
4 US tariffs on Chinese art take effect as New York auction series begins
5 Auction house Christie’s to sell Old Masters from collection of late Italian dealer
In Numbers
180 The length in centimetres of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘magic’ boa which sold for £14,500 at Omega Auctions on September 8. It was featured on the Are You Experienced LP sleeve (below) and worn on stage at the Monterey International Pop Music Festival.
