Finding Master Pieces for All
As the Olympia Antiques Fair ends and Masterpiece moves into its second phase, we consider our favourite pieces
Review by Rupert Watkins
The summer surge of Fine Art and antiques fairs has seen the art world descending upon London to wander the stands and feast their eyes upon some rather delicious pieces. With so much to choose from, where does one start? As an art lover one may as well start with Richard Green at Masterpiece and the two magnificent Claude Monet (1840 – 1926) pastels on their stand. Etude de ciel are amongst the painter’s rarer pastel works, a small but sublime pair showing the artist’s mastery of capturing the fleeting and ethereal. Another work has recently come to light on the verso of the larger study, Le Harve, la jetee having been hidden for years by the frame. Also at Richard Green, there was a wonderful Sir Alfred Munnings PRA (1878 – 1959) equine picture The Leaders sitting at £275,000.
Staying at Masterpiece with the equine and hunting theme, Dickenson had a stunning set of four John Frederick Herring Snr hunting scenes circa 1853 and a rather nice James Ward circa 1823 Study for the deer Stalker on sale for £20,000. As a lover of 18th and 19th century watercolours and pencil works, there was much to grab this writer on Martyn Gregory’s stand. Two George Chinnery (1774 – 1852) pen and ink studies were lovely, Study of Trees overhanging a Lake (£4,000) and Two Cows and a Calf (£3,000) as well as a David Cox (1783 – 1859) pencil and wash picture Figure walking with a dog beneath and building archway circa 1809 sitting at a snip at £1,600. There was also a quite delicious small Thomas Gainsborough FSRA (1727 – 1788) sketch Study of a Mule going for £9,900. These pieces also show the range and breadth of what is available at Masterpiece – the less flush collector is as able to search out a purchase as anyone.
Lovers of more Modern Art had much to choose from and again there were some pieces to tempt those with shallower pockets. William Weston Gallery had a fine Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec (1864 – 1901) Mlle Marcecelle Lender in Profile 1895 on their stand for £16,000. Coming through to the 20th century and the modern day, the stand also had a Salvador Dali (1904 – 1989) drypoint first impression Giraffe on Fire dated 1966 for £12,000 and a Damien Hirst (b 1965) black felt pen “spot” composition For Tim. Butterfly and Heart 2011 sitting at £9,750.
Moving smartly to Olympia, chatting to dealers it was clear that running both fairs in tandem, which has been done for the first time this year, has been of benefit. There has been a noticeable rise in international visitors – especially Americans. There is a different tone at each fair though it is supremely enjoyable to move between the two to compare and contrast. Olympia’s exhibition this year was also of interest, focusing on the private collection of Dr Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield, the American philanthropists. The works by artists such as John Atherton, Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton are angular, vibrant - almost harsh, reflecting the 1930s Depression era many were painted in. Yet despite that, there is a feeling energy and possibility running through them.
The Taylor Gallery Ltd had a number of superb Sir Alfred Munnings on their stand including A Suffolk Lane at £75,000 and Hamlet at £60,000, both wonderful examples of the vitality Munnings bought to his work. Isherwood Fine Art had a very nice Portrait of a Large Brown and White Spaniel attributed to George Garrard (1760 – 1826) and for those who like seascapes, Adrian Phippen Fine Art had a magnificent Thomas Butterworth Snr (1768 – 1842) scene, Shipping in a Breeze.
Those seeking more modern work could find Jack Vettriano at Haynes Fine Art of Broadway, Mind Binder being offered at £46,000 or coming into the current contempory art world at Omnipod, there were a number of Jean-Marc Louis (b 1959) pieces including Has Sam Pet Hok at £3,200. The Reel Poster Gallery showcased a number of increasingly rare and collectable film posters including an original British poster for La Dolce Vita (1960) and Goldfinger (1964) at £12,500 and £7,500 respectively.
Digressing away from art, the furniture at both fairs – both antique and modern – was wide ranging and excellent. As a lover of Georgian furniture though, two pieces stood out at Olympia; a beautiful George III rosewood drum table at Moxham Antiques for £11,850 and an elegant George III serpentine chest of drawers attributed to Gillows being offered for very reasonable £4,950 at Roger Lamb Antiques.
Across the board, it is a feast for any lover of art and antiques both at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Olympia and this reviewer is only too aware he has barely scratched the surface of what is on offer this year. Nonetheless, they are both a wonderful day out to wander amongst beauty and Riddle recommends you beat a hasty path to both fairs if possible. 
Details:
https://www.masterpiecefair.com/desktopDefault.aspx?tabid=18