Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
From the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII to the glory of Elizabeth I, artists working in England during the 16th century became experts at composing flattering images of wealthy patrons. This article will explore many of the famous names associated with the Tudor dynasty, as well as many who saw great political, social and royal upheaval… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Winged figures have been a frequent feature in art from the ancient period to present day, adding a celestial presence to each and every composition. From the sanctity of the Christian archangel Gabriel to the child-like figure of cupid, these heavenly creatures have a wide range of associations. Above: a selection of artworks from different… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Many still life paintings contain hidden meanings, whether this is in the symbolism of flowers or in the inclusion of a human skull. One of the most typical features of this genre is nature’s bounty displayed in an abundance of fresh produce. Although still life paintings appear at first glance to be composed as a… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles, Works On Paper
Whilst ukiyo-e flourished for centuries in a commercial Japanese market, the opening of world trade at the turn of the 20th century saw new audiences for traditional prints – a westernised movement that would become known as shin-hanga. Above: shin-hanga prints by Komori Soseki, Ito Sozan, Yoshikawa-Kenjiro Kanpô, Hiroshi Yoshida, Yamakawa Shuho, Ohara Koson and… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
As well as producing marvellous still life bouquets, symbolic landscapes and grand portraits, the Dutch Golden Age saw the introduction of the genre painting. With an emphasis on realism and morality, these unique artworks can offer us a visual insight into the lives of patrons and peasants of the 17th century and beyond. Above: a… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Many of the oil paintings we come across in our studio are well-known scenes from some of Europe’s most historic towns and cities. For their current owner, they may inspire nostalgia for a favourite place, which is not unlike the original reason for their creation. Whilst we may think of souvenirs today as being fairly… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Restoration stories, Useful articles
The age of a painting can often be part of its appeal, allowing us to own part of history and appreciate the ever evolving ideas of art. Whilst many antique paintings may seem to portray a rather straightforward image or story, beneath the surface there are often complex messages and allegories to be found. Similarly,… Read more »
Artists, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Welcome to our latest edition of regional artists. This week we are heading to the southern region of Cornwall to explore a rich history of Cornish artists and art schools including St Ives and Newlyn. Above: a detail from an illustration of The Lion Rock from Views in Cornwall by Thomas Rowlandson, 1812 If you… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Miniatures, Specialist Items, Useful articles
Our conservation curiosities series will give you a quick insight into some of the most unusual and unique pieces you’ll come across in auction rooms and antique shops around the world. This week we are looking at snuff boxes and the miniature artworks that adorn them. What is a snuff box? Snuff was a smokeless… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Specialist Items, Useful articles
This is our new series giving you a quick insight into some of the most unusual and unique pieces you may come across in auction rooms and antique shops around the world. We will look into how these precious pieces can be sensitively restored without harming their historic value. This article will look into the… Read more »
Case Studies, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Restoration stories, Useful articles
The Dutch golden age allowed landscapes to become an admired genre that was no longer practised simply as a backdrop to a historical or biblical scene. Views of the Netherlands did not have to be full of allegory to produce a compelling composition, the mass urbanisation of the country in the 17th century created an… Read more »
Artwork Analysis, Case Studies, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
One of the most frequent reasons for painting restoration is discolouration of the surface. Whilst there are many factors that can lead to a dark or distorted appearance, fireplace smoke is often involved. Over the course of their life, historic artworks have usually been in one or more locations with an open fire. Historic interiors… Read more »
Case Studies, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Oil paintings are made up of several layers, often these cannot be seen by the untrained eye but nevertheless disturb the original intention of the artist. Surface contamination, discoloured and darkened varnish and the historic build-up within crevices can all make a remarkable visual difference when they are sensitively removed. Historic oil paintings may have… Read more »
Case Studies, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Restoration stories, Useful articles
Our team loves nothing more than being able to delve into the history of each artwork that comes into our studio. Every so often, we are greeted by a familiar face from British history – royalty and aristocracy, soldiers and lawmakers. However, some of these are more infamous than others, as was the case with… Read more »
Case Studies, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Many of the paintings that we receive in our studio are copies of some of the greatest paintings in human history. This was very much the case for a recent conservation project that would reveal hidden figures in a darkened copy of Rembrandt’s De Nachtwacht – also known as The Nightwatch or it’s much longer,… Read more »
Contemporary Art, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Restoration stories, Useful articles
The artwork that we hold dear to us may not only visually represent the past, but bring with it the personality and philosophy of the person who created it. This was the case with a large collection of paintings that came to our attention following a devastating flood. The artist was our client’s husband, actor… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Restoration stories, Useful articles
Priceless memories are often found embedded in the brushstrokes of a painting, the gaze of a porcelain figurine or the remnants of ink upon a well-used writing desk. In our restoration studio, trained conservators protect many items that hold personal importance to clients, from family heirlooms to beloved portraits. This was the case with a… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Restoration stories, Useful articles
This beautiful Dutch painting by Johan Barthold Jongkind was passed down to our client by their father. It had originally belonged to their great aunt, who was part of the resistance during World War II. Little is known about how this painting came to her, but it is believed that it may have been given… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Some of the most popular pieces of antique porcelain and bone china come from well-loved tea sets. Whether teacups and teapots are family heirlooms, decorative objects or still serve a practical purpose, it is worth looking into their history to establish possible value and any need for professional preservation. From historic Yixing teapots to the… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Flowers have always been a popular subject for still life paintings, as well as making a symbolic appearance in many other genres. Understanding the significance of floral choice and the story behind these beautifully composed details may help you to unlock the true themes and meaning of your artwork. Above: a detail from Vase of… Read more »
