Tips for collecting fine art
HI! My name is Doug Atkins. I have written over 150 stories as an art critic, and along with the interesting and colorful people I've met I have picked up many tips for collectinng fine art. I've spent much time surfing the web, but I've yet to find a good site that caters to the art collector. So that's why I'm here -- making a few sites that are ideal for the collector of all genres of art with an emphasis on fine art. This site is devided into three parts:
I RESEARCH
II DETECTING FORGERIES(Need an appraiser, see this section)
III PRESERVATION
Let's start with some basic tips for the beginner who is thinking of buying art.
I RESEARCH
1) Decide what it is that you'd like to collect.� Maybe you like Impressionism or abstract art, or perhaps your interests lie with American artists.� You need to research all the movements.� Just maybe there's a catagory of art that you never realized existed. Possibly you don't even know what the major art movements are(See #10 below partial for list).� You can find more comprehresive search tools at cyberartgallery.net or netartcollector.com.�
2) Let's begin with your quest for information.� Look at art magazines from Barnes & Nobel, or Borders.�
3) Your search can go even further by browsing art shows, yard sales, and estate sales.� Cruise the internet for on-line galleries.
4) Maybe you need let your wallet be your guide.� Only you can decide that.� Keep in mind that water colors and drawings are usually cheaper than oils.
5) Try to find some local collectors. They might have some valuable information to share with you.� Maybe they've heard of an artist you're thinking of buying.
6) Let professionals know about your interest in collecting.� They could well pass some of their expertise on the subject on to you.
7) Search for quality, not quantity.� After all, once you buy it, you've got to live with it.�
8) Make friends and contacts on your own.� Is there a local art collectors society?� Try visiting a chat room or a news group.
9) Read the "Arts" sections of newspapers. See what the critics have to say.
10) One of the best ways to find out what you like when collecting fine art is to investigate a varity of catagories, or genres. Try looking up some of these -- Abstract, African, American, Ancient, Art Deco, Asian, Baroque, Contemporary, Cubism, Dada, Expressionism, Fantasy, Fauvism, Folk/Outsider, Germain Expressionism, Impressionism, Medieval, Modern, Photography, Political, Pop Art, Post Impressionism, Poster, Realism, Renaissance, Romamticism, Russian, Spiritual, Still life, Surrealism, and Victorian.
11) Finally, never buy to make a profit. You may well be disappointed. Always buy for the love of art.
I hope you've learned something from these tips for collecting fine art. To learn about preservation, selling and consigning art, and to find out about art insurance, financing, and art themed vacations check out netartcollector.com.
If you've checked out some art movements and found something you like, you might consider buying a book on the subject. If so, click on link below. Barnes & Nobel will come up. Enter the movement you like and see what they have to offer.
Research a movement
I FOUND ONE I LIKE. SHOULD I BUY IT?
II DETECTING FORGERIES
Okay, so you like a piece of art. The question is: should you buy it? You must first ask yourself another question. Why am I buying it? If you want the piece because it visually appeals to you, that's one thing. After all, one man's junk is another man's treasure. If you like it, and you want it, that's fine. Buy it. But if your thinking of buying it as an investment, or if you want to build a collection that's worth some money, now that's something different. Don't buy a painting (or any art) on impulse. There are some things to consider.
1) Chech out the artist. Find his/her gallery listings, exhibit catalogs, and any reviews on the artist.
2) Suppose you find a name that you recognize. Is it real? A forgery? A copy? Stolen? The first step is to verify the signature. Compare it to other signatures by the same artist. Just because it says Monet, don't take it for granted that it's real. The signature can vary slightly from other signatures. But remember, part of a forgers job is copying signatures, so matching signatures isn't an all inclusive investigation. Is the work in the same medium as the artist typically used? Same genre? Is the size the same as others by the artist? Is the material the same: paper, canvas. What if you think it might be stolen? The FBI has a stolen art file. After all, art theft is very common. You can always have it appraised before you buy it. I know some of you are here because your interested in finding an appraiser. I'm a critic, not an appraiser, but I will give you a few links to appraisal societies so you can find one. First try Art Appraisers of America You should also try American Society of Appraisers Once you're there skip over the name field and enter your state. This will give you appraisers from your state.
3)Just because it's old, doesn't mean it is worth anything. Some artists just never became popular. Also, forgers use some very sophisiticated techniques to add "age" to a painting. The reason they do is to fool the buyer into thinking it's old, therefore worth money.
4)It could be a copy, not a forgery. In which case it may have some value. Throughout history painters have copied other painters to practise their style. Students have imitated the works of their masters. The cariacture of da Vinci was copied by such masters as Caracci, Durer, and Rota -- and what I wouldn't do to get my hands on one of those copies!
If you are interested in learning about the science of art forgery detection check out my page Art Forgeries & the X-ray
III PRESERVATION
Congradulations! You've bought a painting. Now you have to display it someplace...and protect it so you may enjoy the work for years to come. First and foremost, be careful! Believe it or not, the second largest threat to art is careless handeling by people. The biggest threat is wide changes in humidity and temperatures. These perrservation guidelines come from the National Endoudment for the Humanities. Now, let's start with display and use. Okay?
1) Where are you going to hang it? How about a nice sunny spot to show off thse beautiful colors? Sorry, that's about the worst place for it. Hang it on an interior wall away from the sun. Heat and humidity? Make sure it's away from heat, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. Heat and humidity can destroy a work of art faster than one might imagine.
2) So, how are you going to show off those glorious colors? Light the art with fiber-optic picture lights. Look in a few lighting stores, or research them on-line. They are available. Stay away from track lighting and incandescent lights. These are heat sources and can damage your investment.
3) Attach cardboard to the back. This will keep moisture from attacking the back of the painting. Hang it by the solid construction of the frame. Avoid eye hooks, use mirror hangers or d-rings.
4) Remember to be careful! Everytime you move it, the art is at risk. Decide on a location and leave it. Carry it with both hands, not by the hanging wire. Don't be too proud to ask for help with larger works of art.
5) What about storage? Perhaps your moving, or you want to replace it with another piece of art. What do you do? If moving, cut two pieces of cardboard the same size as the frame, one for the front, another for the back. Wrap it in acid-free paper and store it vertically. Don't forget, heat and humidity are your worst enemies! DO NOT store it in the cellar or attic! If storage is long term you might consider a storage facility that specializes in art. Don't use one of those outdoor u-store-it buildings.
CLEANING, DUSTING, AND REPAIRING
6) To dust your painting (or any other kind of art) -- very gentely -- clean with a soft brush available from an art supply store. Keep the brush for this purpose only. Store it in a bag. NEVER use polishes, waxes, oils, or sprays! These will destroy your valuable art.
7) If damaged, don't try to fix it yourself. Leave that to a professional.
You must know that not all paintings are on canvas. Some art -- posters, sketches, watercolors, and drawings for example -- are on paper. Most of the caring techniques are the same. Avoid sunlight, use acid-free paper for storage, insure close control of heat and humidity. Some art, like charcoal drawings, are powdery. Be especially careful not to touch the work, as it might smudge. Fimgerprints are easily left on posters.
8) Another thing to be aware of is pest control. Do you live in a region where pests are common? What are they? Do they pose a threat to the type of art you are collecting?
9) Finally, if your collection is getting large, or if it is particularly valuable you should consider an alarm system. You should also consider insurance. Remember the Issabelle Stewart Gardner Museum art heist in Boston where $200 million in art was stolen, but the works weren't insured? The works were never recovered. They lost it all! You don't want to end up like that!
Well, that's much of I've learned about research, forgeries, and preservation. Feel free to contact me with any questions you have on those subjects, or on most anything related to art. I would be glad to at least try to help -- no guarentees though. There are some very good links on this site, be sure to check them out. Good luck in your collecting! I hope to hear from you!
My Favorite Links:
McGraw Hill
My Info:
Name:
Doug Atkins
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