Collecting and Appraising Art
If you're looking to acquire the sort of art that is hung in a place of honor and superbly lit (vs. being magnetized to the fridge) you've come to the right spot. Here are tips, hints and articles about collecting art, and sources for professional help.
Breakfast at Christies - A Peek at the Inner Workings of the Worlds Most Famous Auction House
What a line up of celebrity works for our press preview of the February 6, 2008 London auction highlights: Francis Bacon's Triptych (1974-77), dedicated to his lover, George Dyer, whose suicide in 1971 seems to have precipitated these three tortured figures as only Francis Bacon knows how; Gerhard Richter's Zwei Liebespaare (Two Pairs of Lovers) (1966), a soft focus black and white nude dalliance times two; Jean-Michel Basquiat's Palm Spring Jump (1982), Munch's The Scream meets Picasso's Guernica, graffiti-style with lots of sky blue; and Lucio Fontana, Concetto sparziale (Spatial Conceit), Attesa (1965), a totally monochrome sassy red rectangle slashed right up the center as if it were a vagina or hotpants slit up the derriere—very naughty.
What a line up of celebrity works for our press preview of the February 6, 2008 London auction highlights: Francis Bacon's Triptych (1974-77), dedicated to his lover, George Dyer, whose suicide in 1971 seems to have precipitated these three tortured figures as only Francis Bacon knows how; Gerhard Richter's Zwei Liebespaare (Two Pairs of Lovers) (1966), a soft focus black and white nude dalliance times two; Jean-Michel Basquiat's Palm Spring Jump (1982), Munch's The Scream meets Picasso's Guernica, graffiti-style with lots of sky blue; and Lucio Fontana, Concetto sparziale (Spatial Conceit), Attesa (1965), a totally monochrome sassy red rectangle slashed right up the center as if it were a vagina or hotpants slit up the derriere—very naughty.
Quick Tips on Photographing Your Works of Art - How to Photograph Paintings, Drawings and Sculptures
There are numerous reasons that a work of art's owner might require a photograph of the painting, drawing or object in question. Assuming you do not own a high-end SLR or DSLR camera, or professional lighting equipment, release cables and tripods, there remain at least four steps anyone can take to ensure reasonably good pictures of art.
There are numerous reasons that a work of art's owner might require a photograph of the painting, drawing or object in question. Assuming you do not own a high-end SLR or DSLR camera, or professional lighting equipment, release cables and tripods, there remain at least four steps anyone can take to ensure reasonably good pictures of art.
A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Art Research for Beginners
So you find a painting in the attic, or inherit one, or fall prey to the charms of a sculpture at a charity shop. How do you know if it's valuable, and to whom it might be valuable? Here are some painless rudimentary steps everyone can take.
So you find a painting in the attic, or inherit one, or fall prey to the charms of a sculpture at a charity shop. How do you know if it's valuable, and to whom it might be valuable? Here are some painless rudimentary steps everyone can take.
Biennale, Triennale, Festival or Exhibition?
None of us suffer from a dearth of art shows; they're happening every week all over the globe. Confusion sets in, though, because these shows - venues, if you will - tend to go by a host of names. Let's figure out what, exactly, it is that those art show terms mean.
None of us suffer from a dearth of art shows; they're happening every week all over the globe. Confusion sets in, though, because these shows - venues, if you will - tend to go by a host of names. Let's figure out what, exactly, it is that those art show terms mean.
Buying on eBay: Before You Bid on "Original" Art
The old saw, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is", is an old saw because it is valid. If that piece up for auction is truly by Renoir, why aren't Christie's and Sotheby's in a pitched battle to sell it?
The old saw, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is", is an old saw because it is valid. If that piece up for auction is truly by Renoir, why aren't Christie's and Sotheby's in a pitched battle to sell it?
ADAA Collector's Guide to Working with Art Dealers
The Art Dealers Association of America has compiled a handbook full of useful information for beginning collectors. (Naturally, the point here is to get you to buy through an art dealer, but it's still good information!) Fill in your email address and name to download the handbook, which is in PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader to view).
The Art Dealers Association of America has compiled a handbook full of useful information for beginning collectors. (Naturally, the point here is to get you to buy through an art dealer, but it's still good information!) Fill in your email address and name to download the handbook, which is in PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader to view).
A Comprehensive Guide to the Contemporary Art Market
A well-written, deep discussion on many aspects of buying fine art. From Kathryn Markel Fine Arts, a gallery in New York City.
A well-written, deep discussion on many aspects of buying fine art. From Kathryn Markel Fine Arts, a gallery in New York City.
Tips for Collecting Fine Art
The author notes he is an art critic who has picked up lots of tips on collecting during the course of his career. His site is divided into three parts: research, detecting forgeries and preservation.
The author notes he is an art critic who has picked up lots of tips on collecting during the course of his career. His site is divided into three parts: research, detecting forgeries and preservation.
The Art of Collecting Art
Business Week online brings us this piece on the financial hazards and pitfalls one may encounter when collecting fine art. One should never buy art as a business investment, though; art should be acquired because it is loved (They didn't say that last part - that was my [unsought] personal opinion).
Business Week online brings us this piece on the financial hazards and pitfalls one may encounter when collecting fine art. One should never buy art as a business investment, though; art should be acquired because it is loved (They didn't say that last part - that was my [unsought] personal opinion).
Ten Rules for Buying Art at Auction
Before attending your first fine art auction, read this piece! Dr. Elliot, a professional art appraiser, delves into the many ways you can end up paying far too much for a piece of art. Some of those ways, O Wary Buyer, are the result of unethical business practices.
Before attending your first fine art auction, read this piece! Dr. Elliot, a professional art appraiser, delves into the many ways you can end up paying far too much for a piece of art. Some of those ways, O Wary Buyer, are the result of unethical business practices.
Appraisers Association of America
Locate an appraiser here, or find out what a correctly prepared appraisal looks like.
Locate an appraiser here, or find out what a correctly prepared appraisal looks like.
American Society of Appraisers
You can search for an appraiser at this site, as well.
You can search for an appraiser at this site, as well.
Art Price
You can find out nearly anything about art prices at this site. Art Price is organized by auction results, price levels and indexes, works in upcoming auctions and much more. Using the free registration gets you access to some of the enhanced search features. The really good stuff, now, that's going to cost money.
You can find out nearly anything about art prices at this site. Art Price is organized by auction results, price levels and indexes, works in upcoming auctions and much more. Using the free registration gets you access to some of the enhanced search features. The really good stuff, now, that's going to cost money.