Inside Dealers – John Cserny Fine Art

Art dealer John Cserny has recently joined Alfies Antique Market in north west London. Taking up a stand in its art gallery, he brings a selection of fine art from the early 17th century up to the 1980s, encompassing everything from still life and landscape, to portrait and impressionist works.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business?
I have been a professional art dealer for over 35 years dealing in fine art from the 17th, 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.

What first interested you in art? 

I remember when I was about 6, my father, who always had an interest in art, asked my opinion on a painting. From then on it’s always been an interest of mine.

How did you first start dealing in art?
Originally I had a career as a mechanical engineering designer, but in 1982 I decided to take a new path and pursued my love of art to become a professional dealer.

Do you have a personal favourite in your collection?

Yes, this one has always been my favourite; I bought it a long time ago thinking it was a portrait of the Admiral De’ Ruyter as it said so on the back, however it actually looks nothing like him and is in fact a portrait of the Admiral Cornelis Tromp, a Dutch navy officer who then became a Danish Admiral. He was quite a character, a ladies man and a heavy drinker. So much so that a lot of Dutch pubs are named after him. He was also very vain and at the time had all the best artists make portraits of him!

Do you have a favourite artist?

Yes, my particular favourite is the French painter James Tissot. I love his subject matters and how he conveys the Parisian party scenes.