Collector Commentary
Fine art and antique appraisal is a complex and multi-faceted profession that requires a deep understanding of both the art market and the history of art and design. In these articles, we dive into the world of art and antique appraisal, exploring the intricacies of valuing works of art while examining the historical and market influences that shape their worth.
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Here you will find our favorite articles that will answer all your questions about antique and art appraisal.
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Here we explore the fascinating world of the art market. From soaring auction prices to emerging artists, stay up-to-date with the latest trends and insights in this ever-evolving industry.
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Join us on a journey through time as we explore the rich and diverse history of art and design. From prehistoric cave paintings to modern masterpieces, discover the stories and influences behind some of the greatest works of art in human history.
The Celebrity Collector
Glass Onion
f you saw Glass Onion’s Netflix premiere last week (spoilers ahead!), you may have picked up on the intentional yet subtle characterization of genius billionaire Miles Bron through the decorative aspects of his mansion, gardens, and more interestingly, the art he collects. A particularly biting and appropriate satire exposing the reality behind some tech geniuses, Glass Onion cleverly touches upon an issue that often affects the contemporary art world.
The Rise and Fall of Connoisseurship
The notion of a connoisseur having “discriminating taste” is perhaps the most concise way to identify why the practice provides necessary expertise, yet creates suspicion in its blind faith approach. An experienced professional knows that relying on a team of experts often yields the best results, as perhaps the practice of connoisseurship is not as useful in isolation as it was in the past.
The Art of Celebrity
It’s not often we see celebrities cross over into the art world as those who create rather than collect. There are those who go above and beyond to engage with the art world and pursue their practice–but how does this type of expression differ from the spectacle of television and film?
Surrealist Icons
Last month, Hindman’s auction ‘Casting Spells: The Gertrude Abercrombie Collection of Laura and Gary Maurer’ saw Abercrombie’s achieve record highs for the artist, suggesting collectors and other art players pay close attention to female surrealism, both of the past and presently. Abercrombie’s 1953 Self and Cat (Possims) sold through Hindman in 2003, going well beyond its estimate of $5,000-7,000, selling at $20,060. Last Wednesday, the same self portrait sold for $375,000. Other works in Abercrombie’s oeuvre reveal a similar allure, with familiar subjects like doors, shells, and animals fetching record-setting numbers as well.
Surrealist Legacies
The 2022 Venice Biennale’s central exhibition takes its title The Milk of Dreams from the writings of female surrealist Leonora Carrington (1917-2011), curated by Cecilia Alemani. Including both contemporary and historical artists, Alemani outlines a magical realm that proves the enduring nature of surrealist notions. Now is the chance to learn from art history and take note of their rising female contemporaries who continue the surrealist legacy
Should You Invest in NFTS and Cryptoart?
Over the last several months, there has been increased media coverage on NFTs and cryptoart. NFTs and cryptoart are not new things— in fact, the first NFTs were used in 2017. As for cryptoart, this is an iteration of digital art or computer art (a.k.a. “new media”), and artists and art critics have been dissecting these pieces since the early 1950s. Cryptoart is simply digital art that is integrated into blockchain technology.
How to Appreciate Art for Beginners: Formal Analysis
If you are a beginning art collector, learning how to appreciate art is an excellent skill to develop. Once you understand how to appreciate art, you can more easily define your collecting philosophy, which is an essential component to creating an inspiring and valuable art collection.
How To Buy Art on Instagram
In 2015 the New York Times published an article about Instagram’s growing influence on the art market. Over the years, online art sales continued to increase accounting for $4.82 billion in sales in 2019. Flash forward to 2020, galleries and museums, and auction houses had to close their doors and move online. This means that Instagram is more influential than ever when building your collection.
Where to Find Quality Antiques
The first decision you have to make when looking for quality antiques is where to look. It’s important to understand that not every second-hand store is the same and narrowing your scope will help you to avoid sifting through inventory that seems irrelevant to you. Quality antiques can be found in thrift stores, estate sales, antique malls, antique stores, flea markets, and auctions, as well as online platforms like eBay, Etsy, Craigslist, LetGo, and Facebook Marketplace.