LONDON.- Now in its third year and established as one of the key art events in the summer calendar, Master Paintings Week is a collaboration between twenty-three leading galleries and three auction houses and will take place from 1 to 8 July 2011. This week of exhibitions and events offers a wonderful selection of predominantly European paintings, dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries, coinciding with the Old Master Sales at Bonhams (6 July), Christie’s (5 and 6 July) and Sotheby’s (6 and 7 July), and another dealer initiative Master Drawings London (1 to 8 July). Each exhibitor, in the heart of London ’s St James’s and Mayfair , stages a special display or event in their gallery. Many of the paintings have an untold story, a fascinating history or an important and newly discovered provenance. Master Paintings Week appeals to collectors, curators and enthusiasts from all over the world and highlights the unrivalled expertise that is to be found in London.

Joining Master Paintings Week for the first time this year are two new galleries specialising in Italian masters. Well-known Italian dealers Riccardo Bacarelli and Bruno Botticelli have recently opened their own space in London , in Bruton Street , dealing in painting and sculpture. BNB Art Consulting Ltd was opened by Ermanno Bellucci, Milena Naldi and Saviano Bellé of BNB Art Consulting opened their new gallery in New Burlington Street in July 2010 where they will be staging an exhibition of Important Works on Paper. View Paintings of the Kingdom of Naples, 18th and 19th century with works by Xavier della Gatta, Alesandra d’Anna, Camillo de Vito, Giovan Battista Lusieri and Francesco Zerilli.

Galleries participating in 2011 are: Agnew’s, Verner Åmell Ltd, Riccardo Bacarelli and Bruno Botticelli, Charles Beddington Ltd, BNB Art Consulting Ltd, Colnaghi, Dickinson, Ben Elwes Fine Art, Deborah Gage (Works of Art) Ltd, Richard Green, Johnny Van Haeften Ltd, Fergus Hall Master Paintings, Derek Johns Ltd, John Mitchell Fine Paintings, Moretti Fine Art Ltd, Philip Mould Ltd, Piacenti Art Gallery (exhibiting at Gallery 8), Robilant + Voena, Sphinx Fine Art (exhibiting at Frost & Reed), Stair Sainty, Rafael Valls, The Weiss Gallery and Whitfield Fine Art. The three auction houses are Bonhams, Christie’s and Sotheby’s. All these galleries are in the heart of London ’s Mayfair and St James’s, a short walk from one another, and will be open during Master Paintings Week on Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 12 noon to 5 pm. The auction houses will be open from 9 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday and 12 noon to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.