8 minute read
FINE ART ON MILL STREET
GLADWELLS OPENS ITS DOORS IN OAKHAM
It’s a gallery with as much provenance as the art within; three generation of experts and a heritage that dates back over 260 years. Gladwell Patterson now enjoys a presence of Oakham’s Mill Street - Gladwell Rutland - with a mission statement to bring beautiful art to the area...
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On entering the welcoming green door in Mill Street - mind the step - novice and art connoisseur alike are met with the inimitable ambience of a rich and exquisite collection of paintings and sculptures. Each item carefully selected with a discerning eye and a true passion for art, giving a nod to the owner’s expertise and experience. Gladwells’ 260 years’ heritage is evident from the start. Passed through several generations it nurtures the very gallery where the art is displayed. Surrounded by such delightful works there is an immediate temptation to acquire. Cory Fuller, third generation of the Fuller family greets us with a warm welcome and explains; “Collecting art is about forming a relationship with someone in the art world who you can trust.” “Our reputation and our clients’ trust are our most valuable assets and it is our strong, long term relationships with our clients that has sustained the business over time.” “The key is to be in a position to buy well, to discover new artists and to be sufficiently confident to buy outright. Many hours are spent searching, researching and viewing works of art in situ, all over the world. We listen to our clients and their specific objec
Opposite: Rue de Clignancourt, soleil, le quatorze juillet by Gustave Loiseau, Oil on Canvas, 66cm x 55cm £195,000.
tives, recognising that an art collection is a deeply personal and unique asset that may one day be passed down through the generations.” Cory talks about the ‘thrill of acquisitions by clients; they learn from us and we learn from them.’ An initial purchase may be the start of a collection and it is the role of the art dealer to assist and advise on the suitability of the next piece to enhance every step. Cory’s enthusiasm is palpable when she talks of the paintings and artists, emphasising Gladwells’ philosophy of only buying art that they themselves like. We learn that the focus is on 19th and 20th century oils and water colours, complimented by contemporary paintings and sculptures by leading artists whilst holding true to the core business of representational art. >>
Top/Left: Soleil d’Hiver, Giclée Blanch, Oil on Panel, 41cm x 33cm £19,500. Left: In the Scrub, by David Shepherd, Oil on Canvas, 79cm x 122cm £85,000. Top: Bords de L’Yonne, Printemps, Georges Charles Robin, Oil on Canvas, 50cm x 60cm £15,000. Centre: Anthony Fuller and Cory Fuller in the Mill Street gallery. Above: Pair of Sitting Grouse, Simon Gudgeon, bronze, 23cm x 36cm x 23cm £7,500.
Chateau Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, 1982 Pauillac by Paul S. Brown, Oil on Canvas, 81cm x 99cm, £39,000.
There is the odd excursion into abstraction – when the work in question is just too good to miss. Here it’s important to note Cory’s lead in the Gladwell’s art advisory service that sources specific works for clients worldwide and combines transparent advice with broad reaching art market intelligence. Navigating today’s art market with an annual turnover of some £52 bn, is not for the faint hearted and competence gained over several generations provides a sound platform for successful acquisition and provides a comfortable point of entry for the client at all levels. As with all investments, Cory explains due diligence is the key alongside, provenance and authenticity and this goes hand in hand with quality and price. An additional gallery at this time is a sign of quiet confidence in its own expertise and a growing client base in Rutland. Founded in 1752, Gladwell is one of the oldest established art dealers in London and steeped in history; the archives reveal connections to several Lord Mayors of the City of London, The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery and Royal Warrants granted from services to Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra, King George V and Queen Mary.
We also learn that the young Mr Gladwell became a close friend and correspondent of Vincent van Gogh whilst the artist was working at Goupils during his stay in London.
A persuasive heritage that led to Cory’s grandfather taking over the business in 1927, with his son Anthony joining the gallery in 1969 and later with Cory and her brother Glenn waiting in the wings. “Our parents have given us the greatest gift and their values of integrity, trust and love of art are at the centre of our endeavour to facilitating people finding that special piece that is right for them.” With Cory and the Fuller family at the helm, it is easy to see how this gallery will thrive and develop into something of a focal point in Oakham, and possibly Rutland. A place for enjoying and absorbing art in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and gaining informed comments and sound advice. Cory hopes that, if you haven’t already been, please do pay a visit and enjoy some very special pieces of the current display and try to catch her before she delves into the gallery’s very first dedicated exhibition in October, namely Portraits of France, that promises to be a vibrant and evocative display of French impressionists’ and post-impressionists’ work that will mellow the autumnal chill. n
Find Out More: Cory Fuller is the third generation in the Fuller family of gallery owners and the founder of Gladwells Rutland. Cory studied art history at Kings College, London and continued her post graduate studies at the Courtauld Institute of Art, specialising in French 19th century painting. Gladwell Rutland is based on Oakham’s Mill Street, call 07866 450070 or see gladwellpatterson.com.
Home is where the office is?
Local property expert Kate Vincent from Garrington Property Finders discusses how the increase in homeworking is having a significant effect on the local property market.
After months of lockdown, the property market was finally given the green light to return to action in June and to the surprise of many, the level of activity if you will forgive the pun, went through the roof. Of course, many of the people flooding to buy were those who had had their plans to move home thwarted by the pandemic, but it appears that a significant number were new to the market; reacting to the enforced restrictions in movement and now open and keen to find a new way of living and working. Around Stamford and Rutland, there have been many reports of buyers approaching agents with a new understanding; that it is possible to work effectively from home but living in a relatively small home in a city during a pandemic is not much fun and the lull in Covid19 cases and Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday offers an enticing window of opportunity to move home.
New needs
Whilst in the past, access to excellent transport links, a garden for the children to play, an open plan kitchen-diner have all been top of the features list homebuyers have required, space to work has not been a priority for many.
Before now most households accepted an appropriate corner in a room or if they were lucky, a small study in which to complete household paperwork or for the odd hour working away from the office. But of course, now that has all changed, with many of the largest employers actively encouraging their staff to work from home and looking into the future to work out how they can support staff ‘Home and Roam’ as coined by BT.
Matters to consider
If you are looking to buy a more appropriate space for the new way of working, there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration. Questions to ask are; how often will you need to travel to the office and if it is considerably less, then are you willing to increase your commute time or change the means of transport? If both you and your partner are going to be working from home, can you work together, or do you need two separate areas to work? What about if you have children, does the workspace need to be away from the hubbub of the family, either in a different part of the property or perhaps in the garden? What sort of broadband speed will you need and do your favourite areas provide this?
Finding the solution
With the increased number of buyers frantically looking for an effective homeworking environment, the choice of properties is receding and the competition to secure the ideal property has become increasingly fierce. In light of this, some buyers are looking for properties that can be adapted to their future needs whether it be through an extension, conversion or installation of a garden office. Seeing opportunities and understanding what can be achieved via planning approval or permitted development rights is not always easy, particularly in a pressurised market. A local property finder will help you spot opportunities, assess the feasibility and advise you on areas to consider in the context of your needs and future lifestyle. In a difficult environment, where the clock is ticking, it pays to have a trusted advisor on your side. If are looking to buy a property and would value some advice on the local market and opportunities that exist, Garrington offer a commitment free discussion with Kate Vincent who would be delighted to share her knowledge of the area and the dynamic market that exists.
