Apelles Fine Art was founded in 2021 by director James Astley Birtwistle. James has worked as a painting conservator and antique frame restorer in Florence and as an Old Master painting researcher for the prestigious Cabinet Turquin in Paris. For the past decade he has worked as a dealer in London with John Mitchell Fine Paintings. During this time he has built up an comprehensive knowledge of paintings and works on paper, as well as an invaluable network of leading auctioneers, conservators, framers, art historians and shippers in the UK and abroad. He has bought, sold, cleaned, installed and valued hundreds of paintings for private clients and institutions. This broad experience handling and presenting works of art allows him to offer confident advice on all facets of picture ownership.

The Gallery:
The gallery stocks paintings and works on paper from the seventeenth to the twentieth century, with a particular focus on French and British art. With the advantage of a deep understanding of the physical make-up of paintings James seeks quality works of art that have endured both aesthetically and physically. Please visit the Artworks section to view the paintings, and join our mailing list to be informed of the latest stock.

Fine Art Services:  
Apelles specialises in fine art services, offering end-to-end management of conservation projects for private clients and institutions. Whether a recent acquisition at auction or a treasured family painting, Apelles offers a range of services to provide the optimal presentation and care for your artwork. From conservation and picture framing to logistics and hanging, Apelles works countrywide and internationally with leading specialists to offer a professional, discreet, and efficient service.

Recent projects include the restoration of major paintings for the The Household Cavalry Foundation and The Alpine Club. Services in these instances included an initial assessment to determine the best course of restoration, as well as arranging the required logistics, hanging, lighting, insurance, etc. Visit Our Services for more information.