Roy is an art historian and a fine art dealer of international renown whose considerable expertise was honed by four years at Philips and a further seven at Christie's Auctioneers. At Christies he became Head of Department for Old Master & British Pictures and also part of the Senior Management Team. As a senior Manager and Old Master painting specialist he was involved in all aspects of Christie’s sales, expertise and strategy, he valued, researched and sold thousands of paintings and brought the gavel down on several important works of art to the global clientele.

An auction house expert and now respected art dealer, Roy daily critiques art works to assess their artistic and commercial merits, rediscovering nameless masters through the quality of the art they left behind, or discovering new masters in the contemporary field.

Roy, a respected arts journalist has written widely on all aspects of art and been given access to interview the owners of some of the UK’s most historic and prestigious collections. He was also the art and antiques columnist for Phillips during his time there in addition to his work an expert and auctioneer.

As an art historian he has written half a dozen books and several major catalogues which span the early Renaissance to the 21st century. ‘A Brief History of Painting: 2,000 BC – AD 2,000’, has been published worldwide in various languages including Russian and (something exotic). Roy has curated many exhibitions, among them the non-profit ‘Young Masters Art Prize’, held at Sphinx Fine Art in London.

In 2009 Roy with partner Edward Strachan decided to set up their own gallery ‘Sphinx Fine Art’ in Kensington specialising in Russian Art. Over the last few years the gallery has become one of the capitals foremost dealers in Old Master Paintings and Russian Art. From working with builders to buying art all over the world, this project is probably the most interesting and fraught with danger he has ever been involved in. www.sphinxfineart.com.

This Oxford educated art expert has presented a 20 part television series ‘Art and the City’ that was broadcast by The Gallery Channel (USA, Canada). The project focused on 10 works of art and the culture of the city that produced them.

Roy’s recently completed filming 10 episodes of ‘Show Me the Monet’ TX Spring 2011 on BBC 2. In it he sits on the "Hanging Committee" and judges artist's work for inclusion in the programme culminating in a Grand Exhibition at the Royal College of Art. Many of these artists have never displayed or exhibited previously, there reputation can only be enhanced - Roy and his fellow judges had to put their reputations on the line!

Roy would relish the chance to use his passion and interest for Art & Antiques in more broadcasting work. An Ex-Oxford rower Roy is very keen on keeping fit and travelling in the Summer 2008 he combined the two by completing the Pyrenean leg of the ‘Tour de France. Photos in Lycra by special request!

Contact Hilary Knight | T: 01604 781818 | M: 07951 968708 | E: hilary@hkmanagement.co.uk