In recent years we have seen a significant rise in the variation of artworks collectors are buying and vendors are hoping to sell with us. This broadening of genres is a response to our online development, a shift that has opened our auctions to a wider audience both nationally and internationally. By pushing the boundaries of traditional auctioneering, we have found ourselves open to a global audience, who in turn are watching and most importantly buying.
Introducing Modern and Contemporary art hasn’t meant abandoning our roots and core audience here in the Lake District. In fact, we continue to see amazing results from local names such as Delmar Banner, Heaton Cooper and Alfred Wainwright. However, we now see the same excitement and bidding in just about any genre we place for sale. Our online presence allows our artworks to consistently find the correct audience and achieve fantastic results in line with market value.
Our start to 2026 has laid out clear examples of our development. With high results achieved for not only the afore mentioned Lake District artists but many more contemporary artworks too, from the likes of John Wells, Alan Davie and David Tindle. The results for the traditional are also holding their own in this new mix, with oil landscapes, portraits and portrait miniatures consistently performing and attracting celebrated followings from enthusiasts.
When the question of ‘What art is selling?’ is asked it’s a tricky one to answer. There are some artists with consistent and predictable results and others, sometimes even those unknown or unattributed that achieve astonishing numbers. This is because art is personal and subjective. It changes weekly with people often buying simply because they ‘liked it’. Which is exactly what keeps the art market exciting and moving. Much like the art itself, it is constantly progressing forwards without shunning what is already valued and accomplished.
We are seeking artworks for our upcoming sales! If you have any paintings, you would like valued please contact Jasmine via email at Jasmine@1818auctioneers.co.uk or call 015395 66201.
