Rafael Valls
Opened in 1976 by Rafael Valls and his wife Carole, the gallery was first established in Bury Street, later moving to Ryder Street. It then settled on Duke Street where it is still today. From the very beginning, Rafael Valls focuses on Old Master Paintings – Dutch, Flemish and Spanish paintings from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The gallery is a member of The Society of London Art Dealers.
Rafael Valls
Opened in 1976 by Rafael Valls and his wife Carole, the gallery was first established in Bury Street, later moving to Ryder Street. It then settled on Duke Street where it is still today. From the very beginning, Rafael Valls focuses on Old Master Paintings – Dutch, Flemish and Spanish paintings from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The gallery is a member of The Society of London Art Dealers.
Antique Art
11 Duke Street, St. James’s
London SW1Y 6BN, UK
+44 207 930 1144
toby@rafaelvalls.co.uk
Saint Francis in the Deser
Giovanni Bellini (ca. 1430/35-1516)
Circa 1476 – 1478
Oil on panel
Panel: 124,6 x 142cm (49 1/16 x 55 7/8 in.)
Frick Collection (1915.1.03)
All our Interviews
Read all our exclusive interviews with antique, modern, contemporary & primitive art dealers.
Interview with Toby Campbell ~ Director
Toby Campbell in Rafael Valls Ltd.
Interview by Pauline Loeb-Obrenan, founder of artfairmag.
For about 25 years, Rafael Valls puts an emphasis on museum-quality Master Paintings. Besides the expensive works that have built its strong reputation, the gallery also offers more affordable and still lovely pieces to meet the demand of young collectors. I have spoken with Toby Campbell, Director of the gallery, about his background, the gallery and the antique art market.
artfairmag: Toby, for those who don’t know you, who are you and how did antique art come to you?
Toby Campbell: I am a Director of Rafael Valls Ltd and have been there for over 20 years. I first worked for Rafael Valls in my gap year having gained a passion for Art at school and realised that this was what I wanted to do.
artfairmag: The gallery’s offer within the Old Master Paintings is quite broad. In addition to your core specialty – Dutch, Flemish and Spanish paintings – you often present English and French 18th and 19th century works. How do you choose the paintings you sell?
T. C.: You are right, we do have a very eclectic taste over our core areas. We like to choose paintings we would happily like to own ourselves. Another key ingredient to them is condition and quality. We do not worry if the artist is not well known. If the painting appeals to us and it falls within our criteria then we will try to buy it.
artfairmag: The gallery has built an enviable reputation by its high-quality paintings that have all been carefully selected. Who can afford them? Are they private collectors or institutions?
T. C.: We are lucky to deal with private collectors from many countries around the world as well as many large and smaller institutions. We try to be affordable to anyones budget who is looking for a good painting.
“We like to choose paintings we would happily like to own ourselves. Another key ingredient to them is condition and quality.”
artfairmag: You organise once a year an exhibition to present artworks under £15.000. Can you explain what motivated this brilliant initiative?
T. C.: As I mentioned before we are not afraid to buy something by a very minor painter if it is exceptional and this is what motivated this idea. We felt that too many really good paintings go ignored because they are not by a recognised name. It is also trying to encourage anyone to look (established and new collectors) and see what we have and to feel that they can afford or are buying a really good painting.
artfairmag: Speaking of exhibitions, are the works presented in your thematic exhibitions – such as Sex & Sensuality in 2018, for example – all from your own stock or do you use loans?
T. C.: We try to use our own stock as the genesis of the idea of the exhibition and then bolster it with loans from colleagues. We used to try and obtain loans from institutions, but it has become too costly to continue with that sadly.
artfairmag: On your website, visitors can explore the gallery, discover selected works and see paintings from past exhibitions. You seem to be in phase with the digitalization that is taking place in the art market with the current health crisis. Do you think the profession of art dealer will have to evolve in the next few years?
T. C.: Digitaliztion has always been an important part of our business and this crisis has only increased the pace of development. I am convinced it will develop further in the coming years. I don’t think though that digital art fairs will ever replace the physical art fair.
artfairmag: Last but not least, could you present a painting that is special for you?
T. C.: I have always loved Giovanni Bellini’s St Francis in the Frick. It is a jaw dropping painting so full of incident and beauty you can stare at it for months and still find something new every time.
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Founded in 1908 and now directed by Marie-Amélie Carlier, Brimo de Laroussilhe is a Parisian gallery which focuses on the arts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
@friezeofficial New York by @art_infatuated_laura for @artfairmag. Laura’s picks include:
• @h.ollyh.endry at @stephenfriedmangallery
• @kenpricestudio_official at @xavierhufkens
• @jesse_wine at @themoderninstitute
• @studiotomassaraceno at @tanyabonakdargallery
#frieze #friezenewyork #friezeweek #friezeartweek #kenprice #jessewine #tomassaraceno #hollyhendry
May 4
@friezeofficial New York by @art_infatuated_laura for @artfairmag. Laura’s picks include:
• @h.ollyh.endry at @stephenfriedmangallery
• @kenpricestudio_official at @xavierhufkens
• @jesse_wine at @themoderninstitute
• @studiotomassaraceno at @tanyabonakdargallery
#frieze #friezenewyork #friezeweek #friezeartweek #kenprice #jessewine #tomassaraceno #hollyhendry
@danyszgallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Associate director Clémence Demolling presents a sculpture by @xmarkjenkinsx from 2021, ‘Holy Bible of War Cinema’.
#markjenkins #markjenkinsart #streetart #urbanart #urbanartfair #arturbain #contemporaryartist #artworkoftheday #strikingart
May 2
@danyszgallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Associate director Clémence Demolling presents a sculpture by @xmarkjenkinsx from 2021, ‘Holy Bible of War Cinema’.
#markjenkins #markjenkinsart #streetart #urbanart #urbanartfair #arturbain #contemporaryartist #artworkoftheday #strikingart
@jefaerosol at @urbanartfair 2024. The artist was featured in two booths: @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
Such a talented and inspiring artist!
#urbanart #jefaerosol #jefaérosol #jefaerosolart #urbanartfair #graffiti #streetart #aerosolart #aerosol
Apr 29
@jefaerosol at @urbanartfair 2024. The artist was featured in two booths: @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
Such a talented and inspiring artist!
#urbanart #jefaerosol #jefaérosol #jefaerosolart #urbanartfair #graffiti #streetart #aerosolart #aerosol
@underdogs_gallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Jessica Louro presents the work of the duo of artists @pichiavo who mixes Greek aesthetic with graffiti art.
#urbanart #pichiavo #pichiavograffiti #pichiavostudio #streetart #graffiti #urbanartfair #arturbain
Apr 28
@underdogs_gallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Jessica Louro presents the work of the duo of artists @pichiavo who mixes Greek aesthetic with graffiti art.
#urbanart #pichiavo #pichiavograffiti #pichiavostudio #streetart #graffiti #urbanartfair #arturbain
@mazelgalerie at @urbanartfair 2024 where I’ve came across the work of @levalet.art, a highly talented artist who create these amazing works with a peaceful foreground with an impactful background.
A real art crush (I’ve bought two pieces of him for my personal collection!)
#levalet #figurativeart #urbanartfair #urbanart #streetart #meaningfulart #contemporaryart
Apr 27
@mazelgalerie at @urbanartfair 2024 where I’ve came across the work of @levalet.art, a highly talented artist who create these amazing works with a peaceful foreground with an impactful background.
A real art crush (I’ve bought two pieces of him for my personal collection!)
#levalet #figurativeart #urbanartfair #urbanart #streetart #meaningfulart #contemporaryart
📣Upcoming ‘1 minute in the booth’ at @urbanartfair 2024:
• @jefaerosol at @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
• @underdogs_gallery
• @mazelgalerie
• @danyszgallery
• @ekowgalerie
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #jefaerosol #aerosolart #graffiti #streetart #artfair
Apr 26
📣Upcoming ‘1 minute in the booth’ at @urbanartfair 2024:
• @jefaerosol at @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
• @underdogs_gallery
• @mazelgalerie
• @danyszgallery
• @ekowgalerie
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #jefaerosol #aerosolart #graffiti #streetart #artfair
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Artists featured in the video:
• Keith Haring at @vroomandvarossieau
• @ernestpignon at @art_to_be_gallery
• @missticofficiel at @art_to_be_gallery
• @ladypinknyc at @graffitiandco
• @invaderwashere at @galerieangebasso
Photo cover at @brugier_rigail_galerie and first scene at @malagacha_gallery with @svengraffiti
Thank you @gkeroparis for the very arty jumpsuit and @karinearabianparis for the shoes 💚
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #streetart #graffiti #invader #ernestpignonernest #keithharing #misstic #ladypink
Apr 25
@urbanartfair 2024 has just opened the doors of its 7th edition in Paris! Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into this vibrant art and experience the raw, the real, the street-brought-indoors!
Artists featured in the video:
• Keith Haring at @vroomandvarossieau
• @ernestpignon at @art_to_be_gallery
• @missticofficiel at @art_to_be_gallery
• @ladypinknyc at @graffitiandco
• @invaderwashere at @galerieangebasso
Photo cover at @brugier_rigail_galerie and first scene at @malagacha_gallery with @svengraffiti
Thank you @gkeroparis for the very arty jumpsuit and @karinearabianparis for the shoes 💚
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #streetart #graffiti #invader #ernestpignonernest #keithharing #misstic #ladypink
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#miart #miart2024 #maximilianarnold #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #emergingart #excitingart #collage
Apr 24
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#miart #miart2024 #maximilianarnold #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #emergingart #excitingart #collage
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@kenjisugiyama_works
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Apr 23
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@kenjisugiyama_works
#miart #kenjisugiyama #miniatureworld #miniaturework #contemporaryart #amazingart #amazingartwork
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#miart #miart2024 #raulcordero #contemporaryartist #poppainting #paintingoftheday #artistoftheday
Apr 22
@wizardgallery at @miartmilano 2024. Founder @federicoluger presents a painting by @raul_cordero_studio.
#miart #miart2024 #raulcordero #contemporaryartist #poppainting #paintingoftheday #artistoftheday
My full article about @miartmilano 2024 is now available on artfairmag.com 🙌🏻
Swing by @arena1906 at @galleriaraffaellacortese.
#miart #miart2024 #francescoarena #swing #contemporaryart #artlover #artofinstagram #artoftheday
Apr 21
My full article about @miartmilano 2024 is now available on artfairmag.com 🙌🏻
Swing by @arena1906 at @galleriaraffaellacortese.
#miart #miart2024 #francescoarena #swing #contemporaryart #artlover #artofinstagram #artoftheday
@venice.art.biennale 2024! @sarah_belmont_ reported for artfairmag to give you an exciting glimpse of what’s going on in Venice, at this 60th edition of the Biennale, curated by @adrianopedrosa, under the title “Foreigners Everywere“, borrowed from the anti-racist work by Claire Fontaine @foreignerseverywhere.
• Senegal Pavilion: @aliounediagne_officiel presented by @galerietemplon
• Lebanon Pavilion: Mounirah Al Sohl
• Uruguay Pavilion: @cardozobenia
• Australia Pavilion: @kithandkin_2024
• US Pavilion: @jeffrune
Thank you @agencedezarts for filming 🎥
#venicebiennale #venicebiennale2024 #venice #artbiennale #aliounediagne #mouniraalsolh #contemporaryart
Apr 20
@venice.art.biennale 2024! @sarah_belmont_ reported for artfairmag to give you an exciting glimpse of what’s going on in Venice, at this 60th edition of the Biennale, curated by @adrianopedrosa, under the title “Foreigners Everywere“, borrowed from the anti-racist work by Claire Fontaine @foreignerseverywhere.
• Senegal Pavilion: @aliounediagne_officiel presented by @galerietemplon
• Lebanon Pavilion: Mounirah Al Sohl
• Uruguay Pavilion: @cardozobenia
• Australia Pavilion: @kithandkin_2024
• US Pavilion: @jeffrune
Thank you @agencedezarts for filming 🎥
#venicebiennale #venicebiennale2024 #venice #artbiennale #aliounediagne #mouniraalsolh #contemporaryart