Iconic Masterpieces Set To Debut at London’s Most Anticipated Antiques Fair

Queen Elizabeth II & The Duke of Edinburgh, Windsor Castle, 2011
C Print Framed, Edition of 6 (4/6) from Thomas Struth
Masterpiece London 2013 and Ivor Braka Ltd are presenting a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II & The Duke of Edinburgh by distinguished photographer Thomas Struth.  The large-scale portrait was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee and formed part of The Queen: Art and Image exhibition showing landmark images of the Queen throughout her sixty year reign. The work shows The Queen and Prince Philip seated together in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle and was taken on 7 April 2011. Exhibited by International art dealer and collector Ivor Braka, the spectacular image will be on display throughout the fair and will present an excellent opportunity for collectors and visitors alike to view the impressive photograph.

The strength of the market for iconic masterpieces was clearly demonstrated in the New York auctions last week, when two works by Roy Lichtenstein, reached new heights and one achieved a world record for the artist at auction. The astounding prices reached for these works show the strong desire amongst collectors to acquire masterworks. Continuing from this, Masterpiece London is delighted that Geoffrey Diner Gallery has chosen our fair and London to unveil this fresh and rare work by Roy Lichtenstein
Nazy Vassegh, CEO of Masterpiece London

Nazy Vassegh, CEO ‘We are thrilled that Ivor Braka Ltd has kindly agreed to show this wonderful work at Masterpiece fair this year, further strengthening the event’s appeal to all collectors, from antiquities through to the very best in contemporary art.” His engagement with photography dates from 1976. Working at first in black and white and subsequently in color, Struth’s mature style is characterised by formal precision and an approach that is essentially straightforward, avoiding narrative or artificial effects. His principal motifs include buildings, street scenes, visitors to churches and museums, landscapes, nature studies and portraits.  He recently had a major touring retrospective in the USA which travelled to venues including the Dallas Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. 
Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) ‘Puzzle Portrait’, 1978,
Oil and magna on canvas

Geoffrey Diner Gallery (Washington DC) will unveil a highly important work by Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), at Masterpiece London this June. ‘Puzzle portrait’ painted in 1978 in oil and magna on canvas. The picture was purchased directly from Roy Lichtenstein in 1983 and will be sold together with two hand signed letters from the artist to the collector detailing the sale and its inclusion in one touring exhibition in 1983. The painting will be offered for sale by Geoffrey Diner Stand B29.

In parallel to Lichtenstein’s work inspired by Pop culture, he began incorporating styles from artists of the past. Specific examples of his work engage with historical styles and parodies including impressionism, futurism and surrealism as well as individual paintings by artists such as Picasso. Elements of Picasso and cubism are evident in ‘Puzzle portrait’, heralding Lichtenstein’s fascination with subject: art about art.

‘A lot of people think that the 60’s are the benchmark for Lichtenstein’s work, as this is when he established his Pop Art signature style and when he replicated the Ben Day Dot system. But during the 70’s he delivered works referring back to art history which led to his major series of Surrealist-Pop paintings. ‘Puzzle portrait’ has never been on the market before, and as a follow up to the Tate Modern retrospective exhibition of Lichtenstein’s work, we look forward to offering London an unseen Lichtenstein for sale at Masterpiece,’ Geoffrey Diner, Director at Geoffrey Diner Gallery.

NOTE: Masterpiece London is open to the public on June 27th to July 3rd.

Top Designers & Members of The Press Gathered Together in NYC to Kick-off Masterpiece London

Thomas Woodham-Smith, Mario Buatta, Susan Gutfreund, Geoffrey Bradfield, Audrey Gruss, Ellie Cullman, Philip Hewat-Jaboor, Nazy Vassegh, Nicola Winwood, Jamie Drake

This was the second year that the American Patrons for Masterpiece London held their New York kick-off to announce plans for Masterpiece London, which opens with a preview on June 26 and runs through July 3 at the South Grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea. This year Ellie Cullman hosted the reception at her magnificent apartment.

Lynne Westcott, Geoffrey Bradfield
Philip Hewat-Jaboor, Sandra Nunnerley
Alex Shuman, Jeffery Bilhuber
Philip Hewat-Jaboor,  Nazy Vassegh, Nicola Winwood, Thomas Woodham-Smith
Timothy Van Dam, Ron Wagner
Rod_Keenan
Jennifer Ceasar
Thomas Woodham-Smith, Bennett Weinstock, Michael_Simon
Henry_Neville
Greg Kwiat, Dana  Kiyomura
Christina Murphy, Nina Carbone
Maureen Footer, Daniel Hamparsumyan
Richard Dragisic, William Brockschmidt, Tom Scheerer
Bruce Bierman, William Secord, Audrey Gruss
Constantino  Castellano, Christopher Hyland, Geoffrey Bradfield, KyleMarshall

Photos Credited to Annie Watt

Masterpiece London

Third time’s the charm. Masterpiece London, will open for the third year at the South Grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea, on Thursday, June 28th until Wednesday, July 4th, 2012. A Preview will take place on June 27. This fair has become popular for its astonishingly broad range and fusion of disciplines. For example, in addition to the finest works from classical antiquity, ethnographica, furniture, ceramics, Renaissance bronzes, paintings, furniture and jewelry, one will can also expect one-off bespoke works of art, be it a Rolls Royce or Harley Davidson, made specifically for the fair.
Merrin Egyptian Mask


Masterpiece London aims for the best of the best in all categories, ancient or modern. Hence visitors, who come to look for watches, vintage cars or fine wine, will engage with extraordinary masterworks that they might never otherwise had the opportunity to see.

Safani Egyptian Cat
Photos courtesy Masterpiece London
Sixteen leading galleries from the United States have signed on this exciting exhibition. Returning to Masterpiece London are Kentshire, Michele Beiny, Les Enluminures, Safani Gallery, Elle Shushan, favorites like Tambaran Gallery, The Silver Fund, and A La Vielle Russie. The new kids on the block are: Collisart, The Merrin Gallery, Fred Leighton, Siegelson, Sebastian + Barquet, and Sperone Westwater & Alberto di Castro, all New York-based galleries. Not only will a visitor to Masterpiece London 2012 be spoilt by a trove of magnificent exhibits to discover, there will also be a complimentary education programme of informative lectures offered by leading experts, including those from The Wallace Collection in London. Besides the expertise of these authorities, Masterpiece London visitors will have the opportunity to draw on the knowledge of the exhibitors themselves, each of whom has a well-informed background in their fields.