Old Master week, December 2024

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, Simon and Emily have been visiting our neighbouring auction houses (Bonhams, Sotheby’s and Christie’s) to view paintings which are coming up at auction in the December Old Masters Week sales. Three lots in particular have caught their attention. In no particular order…

The Flower Girl and The Watercress Girl, by Johann Joseph Zoffany

This pair of paintings by Zoffany is being offered for sale at Bonhams on 4th December at 2pm. From his visual inspection, Simon assessed them to be in unusually good condition albeit that the artist’s original colours are currently masked under a discoloured yellow varnish: minor treatment will really make them sing.

Portrait of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, by a follower of Hans Holbein II

This circular portrait by a follower of Holbein II will be offered for sale at Christie’s on 4th December at 10.30am. Simon describes it as a very fine example of 16th century portraiture. Sensitive conservation treatment will bring the portrait’s appearance back as close to the great master as anyone could wish.

In her boudoir, by Osman Hamdy Bey

This intimate scene by Osman Hamdy Bey is being offered for sale by Sotheby’s on 4th December at 6pm. Simon says this is a top class picture and a remarkable example of Hamdy Bey’s work. With some gentle cleaning the artist’s original colours will be brought back, and the depth in the composition will be retrieved.