Appraisals

Before I can place a value on a work of art, I first have to understand what it is.

That may sound obvious, but it is the foundation of every appraisal. Is it a painting, a print, or a reproduction? Who created it? When was it made? What is its condition? The answers to those questions come before any discussion of value.

The purpose of the appraisal determines the type of value being assigned.

An insurance appraisal is intended to protect the owner if a work of art is lost, stolen, or damaged. For that reason, it is generally based on the retail replacement value—the cost of acquiring a comparable work of art in the appropriate retail market.

The same artwork may have a different value if the purpose of the appraisal is charitable donation, an estate, equitable distribution, or a potential sale. Before assigning a value, I first need to understand why the appraisal is being prepared.

Buying and Selling

If you are considering buying a particular work of art, I will help you decide whether the work and the price make sense. When appropriate, I can obtain an independent assessment from trusted colleagues with expertise in particular fields, or travel to examine the artwork myself.

I can also bid on your behalf at auction, establish provenance and fair market value, and arrange transportation and insurance.

I also buy works directly from private sellers. Before making an offer, I establish what I can about the provenance and determine a fair market value.

If you are selling, I can advise on the best method of sale, whether privately or at auction. In many cases I can negotiate more favorable terms with an auction house on the seller's behalf.

I also advise on artists' estates, including how and when works should be offered in order to obtain the best result for the heirs.

Art Installation & Display

After a career in which I have personally hung more than 40,000 pictures, I am available to devise a plan for displaying a collection—or a single work—for optimal impact and enjoyment. This includes advice on placement, grouping and lighting, as well as the actual installation of the artwork.