Johnny Depp
Focusing on the medium of works on paper,
London Art Week (LAW) and Trois Crayons will occupy Frieze’s permanent exhibition space located in the heart of Mayfair.
From June 28th to July 5th, Prominent art institutions are also rising to the occasion for LAW, with Philip Mould & Company displaying portraits by Baroque portrait painter Mary Beale (1633-1699), Stephen Ongpin Fine Art showing nearly thirty works by Italian Baroque painter Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (1591-1666), Sam Fogg reprising portrayals of Mary in Biblical art, and David Messum Fine Art presenting the 50th edition of their annual British Impressionist exhibitions at their gallery in St. James's.
Summer Dreams (1919), Henry Scott Tuke. David Messum Fine Art
At Mason's Yard, The Limner Company is offering a collection of portrait miniatures dating from 1600-1800, including a portrait of Pierre de Ronsard (the French counterpart of William Shakespeare) by Nicholas Hilliard. For those of us craving something with a bite, Trinity Fine Art is staging a tantalising show named Sacred & Profane, featuring works from the 1500s to the 1700s, such as the exquisite Jupiter & Juno (1575–1607) by the pre-eminent Dutch graphic artist and painter Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617).
Meanwhile, contemporary artists Dan Llywelyn Hall and Adam Dant will weave a dialogue between art from the past and present day. Creating 10 pieces each, they have responded to 20 items from the Society of Antiquaries' historic collection. Viewers have the opportunity to view the works at Burlington House throughout LAW, and can purchase them online until July 5th.
Jupiter & Juno, Hendrick Goltzius (1558 - 1617). Trinity Fine Art
On the subject of art sales, LAW is once again exciting the art market with Old Master and Classic auctions from Bonhams, Christie’s and Sotheby’s; all of which are taking place alongside the dealers’ exhibitions. Buyers have fixed their eyes on prized works such as John Robert Cozens’ (1752-1799) The Lake and Town of Nemi, Italy (to be sold by Bonhams on July 3rd); a watercolour on paper piece made on the artist's first trip to Italy in 1776-1779.
Elsewhere, Colnaghi, the world's oldest commercial art gallery for Antiquities, Old Masters and Modern & Contemporary artworks, is unveiling its summer exhibition: Couples (running from June 28th to Sept 7th). Much has been written and theorised about the synergy and influence between artists working together and centuries apart.
Colnaghi addresses this discourse head-on by exploring both direct partnerships and indirect influences between artists. There are literal case studies like the Gonzalez brothers, and stylistic retrospectives, as seen in the works of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. From pieces conjured under the influence of romantic partnerships to artists from alternate generations, a selection of sculptures, paintings and drawings have been chosen to spotlight ingenuity from the 17th to the 20th Century.
Vanitas (2023), Marcos Lozano (b.1990). Moretti Fine Art
Moretti Fine Art's exhibition is equally rousing anticipation due to its selection of 13 oil works by the contemporary artist Marcos Lozano, on the advent of The National Gallery's 200th anniversary. Also situated in St James's, the Justin Raccanello gallery promises to transport us to the Italian Art Nouveau of the Haute Epoque through whimsical paintings by Margaret Cantagalli (1852-1930) and her daughter.
Visitors can then travel from Italy to Sweden with Ben Elwes Fine Art and its collection of bucolic landscapes by Anna Boberg (1864-1935), who was acclaimed as 'Sweden's greatest artist' in 1906. Her emerald lakes and peaked cliffs are an ideal prelude for Sladmore’s horse-themed exhibition: Equine - From Wild, to Tame, to Icon. It boasts an exciting lineup including Rembrandt Bugatti’s impressionistic Percheron Stallion (1907), Nicola Theakston’s contemporary Resting with the Ancients (2023), Antoine Louis Barye’s bronze Turkish Horse (1857) and, of course, Nic Fiddian Green’s iconic life-sized head sculptures.
Portrait of Anne Sotheby (1676), Mary Beale. Philip Mould & Company
For those of us who are out of town, LAW Digital provides an opportunity to view exhibition highlights online.
