Born and raised in London, Rosenfeld’s passion for collecting was first sparked by the record collection he compiled as a teenager. His appreciation for art deepened during his years in Italy - first in Venice, where he taught at the Oxford School, and later in Florence, where he worked as a creative. It was there that he honed his discerning eye for Italian Old Master paintings and sculpture, often surrounding these works with a myriad of papers and catalogues, living amongst his collection in a way that continually inspired his creative endeavours in filmmaking, photography and art. His early passion for Old Masters led him to collaborate with his brother Michael, a collector and dealer, before forming a partnership with Neapolitan Old Master dealer Dario Porcini.

In 2011, Rosenfeld Porcini gallery was established in London’s Fitzrovia. The gallery combined Rosenfeld’s growing interest in contemporary art with both partners’ shared admiration for the Italian Renaissance. The gallery presented a curated roster that bridged historical tradition and innovative contemporary practice. Driven by a desire to further explore contemporary art, the gallery evolved into Rosenfeld, becoming a platform for international artists at various stages of their careers, from established and mid-career figures such as Riccardo Guarneri and Leonardo Drew, to emerging talents including Korean multidisciplinary artist Bongsu Park and Chinese painter Ruozhe Xue.

This auction will follow a major retrospective of the collection in Ian’s Rooms, on view at Rosenfeld from 27 November to 18 December, celebrating the vision and passion that have defined the gallery since its inception.

Rosenfeld’s home, The Clockhouse, is testament to the originality and depth of the collection it sheltered. Working with architect Maddalena Cannarsa, Rosenfeld and his wife, Marianna Segato - herself a restorer of Old Master works - created a space that functioned as both a private gallery and a family home, with the rhythms of family life often taking precedence. His joy in building a much-loved family later in life was woven into its interior, most notably in the engraving of the house’s iconic clock paired with the playful words ‘You’re late.’ The house brought together the collecting passions that defined Rosenfeld - spanning the classical to the contemporary across art and design - showcased to exemplary effect while remaining fully lived-in. The result was an effortlessly cohesive yet eclectic blend, reflecting his instinctive eye and wide-ranging interests.

Joe Robinson, Head of the House Sales and Private Collections Department at Dreweatts, commented, “Ian’s remarkable ability - both as a collector and as a gallerist - to move fluidly from the Renaissance to the contemporary world gave rise to a visual language that was unmistakably his own. He was never daunted by the dialogue between the classical and the modern, a confidence reflected throughout the collection coming to auction. His gift for curating works that illuminate cultural connections is evident in every piece, offering collectors a rare opportunity to engage with his vision, and much missed yet ever fabled ‘eye’.”

Auction Highlights

Auction Details

Wednesday 28 January 2026 | 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:

• Viewing in London (highlights): The Clock House, 11 John Street, WC1N 2EB
  • Tuesday 13 January: 11am-3pm
  • Wednesday 14 January: 11am-3pm
  • Thursday 15 January: 11am-3pm
• Viewing in Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Sunday 25 January: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 26 January: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 27 January: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 28 January: 9am-4pm

Further information:
General enquiries: +44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com