19th and 20th Century Paintings

The 19th and 20th Century Paintings Department of Gregory’s Auction House is dedicated to a period of extraordinary artistic richness, spanning the transition from 19th-century painting to the new sensibilities of the early 20th century. The department focuses on the selection and enhancement of works that reflect the evolution of taste, technique and collecting.

Each painting entrusted to us undergoes thorough research, examining its provenance, bibliography, condition and historical-artistic context. In addition, every work is carefully observed through the study of materials, painting technique and conservation conditions. When necessary, diagnostic tools such as the Wood’s lamp are employed to identify restorations, overpainting and other conservation interventions. For particularly important works, research is further supported through consultation with archives, foundations and specialists, ensuring the most accurate documentation possible. Furthermore, the department agrees upon a reserve price with the owner, based on the characteristics of the work and current market conditions, in order to safeguard its value during the sale process.

A significant portion of the works offered at auction comes from private collections, often preserved for long periods within family holdings. Their return to the market represents an important moment. In these cases, the history and collecting provenance of the artwork contribute to increasing the interest of collectors seeking authentic works of art.

Gregory’s also supports consignors through a comprehensive and professional service that includes the initial valuation, cataloguing, photography and presentation at auction. Moreover, assistance continues after the sale, with support for shipping quotations, transport arrangements and export procedures through a network of specialised operators active worldwide.

The department’s catalogues feature works related to Romantic painting, landscape painting and the movements that anticipated Impressionism and Divisionism. As a result, collectors are offered a broad and diversified selection.

Over the years, the department has achieved significant results with works by Fausto Zonaro, including Travelling on the Bosphorus (late 19th century), sold for €167,280, and by Amedeo Preziosi, whose Constantinople’s Harbour from Koum Kapou (19th century) sold for €31,980. These results are complemented by works from artists such as Alessio Issupoffand Alphonse Mucha, represented by Orientalist Scene (late 19th – early 20th century), sold for €5,250. Together, they reflect the international taste that flourished between the 19th and 20th centuries. Likewise, among the most important results for Italian Orientalist painting is Alberto Pasini’s Persian Scene (1856), sold for €25,000. The international panorama also includes artists such as Fernand Léger, whose Contrast of Forms, a mixed-media work on panel, represents a significant example of 20th-century avant-garde experimentation.

Alongside the international scene, the department pays particular attention to Italian painting of the 19th and early 20th centuries, a field currently experiencing renewed collecting interest. Among the most representative names are Giovanni Boldini, with works such as The Lady with the Fan (1915) and Seated Lady Sewing on a Bench (1915), sold respectively for €6,200 and €8,060; Eugenio Zampighi, renowned for his genre scenes; and Gaetano Bellei, author of Ring Around the Rosie (late 19th – early 20th century), sold for €34,720. They are joined by Giuseppe Cannella, whose Snow on the Grand Canal (19th century) sold for over €27,000, as well as Carlo Grubacs, celebrated for his Venetian views, and Paolo Sala, a leading figure in landscape painting.

The department also handles works by artists such as Michele Cascella, Fabio Fabbi and Ruggero Panerai, together with authors including Alfredo Protti, Augusto Majani, Luigi Serra, Bruno Saetti and Nino Springolo. These artists testify to the richness and variety of artistic production between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Particular attention is also devoted to artists from Emilia-Romagna and Bologna, including Luigi Bertelli, Marina con vele (Seascape with Sails, 1890s), sold for €11,780; Flavio Bertelli, The Lovers (early 20th century), sold for €6,820; and Alessandro Scorzoni, My Family (1898), sold for €11,160. These are accompanied by works by Mario De Maria (Marius Pictor), including Self-Portrait (late 19th – early 20th century), sold for €9,920. This connection with the local territory represents an important part of the department’s identity. Furthermore, it allows us to promote works that combine artistic quality with local heritage, in dialogue with both the national and international markets.

Today, Gregory’s 19th and 20th Century Paintings auctions represent a point of reference for collectors and enthusiasts, operating within a dynamic and constantly evolving market. Over time, the department’s acquisition activity has enabled the creation of a strong network of relationships at both national and international level, providing artworks with broad and qualified visibility. Consequently, the participation of a selected and knowledgeable audience naturally encourages competitive bidding and contributes to achieving the best possible sale results.

Evaluation

Would you like to know the value of your artworks and explore their potential sale on the market?

Our experts are available to provide free and confidential valuations, whether for individual works or entire collections.

You will receive qualified advice and be guided through every stage of the sale process, whether at auction or through private negotiation, with a careful and personalised service.

Images and information regarding your artworks can be sent via:

• email or WeTransfer: aste@gregorysaste.it
• WhatsApp: +39 051 2960945

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