Fine Art Acquisitions
Due to the subjective nature of collecting art, Observe Art’s™ clients benefit from our services designed to meet their particular needs in acquiring or selling an art portfolio valued at $500,000 or more. New collectors are introduced to the art market through visits to museums, art fairs and commercial galleries. We develop a list of artists and art periods of interest with each client to meet their budget and expectations. We then research and seek works by these particular artists offered at auction and through private sales. Observe Art™ performs due diligence on comparable prices and provenance in order to reduce the client’s risk as an investor in fine art. In addition to galleries and auction houses, our art advisory clients benefit from gaining access to art not traded publicly on the market. Observe Art works with clients in acquiring fine art for corporate offices in a similar manner.
In sum, we offer:
- Targeted worldwide searches for all works of art
- Unbiased advice on condition, price, authenticity, and quality
- Access to primary (dealer) and secondary (auction) markets and private sources
- Negotiations with dealers
- Representation at auction
- Title and lien searches
- Complete confidentiality
Fine Art Sales
Observe Art™ also assists clients with selling fine art in order to achieve the highest possible returns. We advise in determining whether sale via auction house or private market is more advantageous based on the criteria and terms of sale most important to our clients. Frequently we are able to reduce standard auction house fees. Where estate sales are concerned, we assist in obtaining an appraisal, often at no cost, for informational and/or tax purposes in advance of sale.
In sum, we offer:
- Art collection assessment to determine retention or de-accession strategy
- Artwork authentication, appraisal, investigation of provenance and condition
- Solicitation of proposals from primary (dealer) and secondary (auction) markets and private sources
- Client representation during private negotiations and at auctions to obtain the most advantageous terms of sale and financial packages
- Comparative analysis of sales options
- Access to preferential terms at auction
- Competitive sales solutions for estates
- Complete confidentiality
- Single point of contact for all transaction
Advantages of Using an Art Adviser
- As requested, we may place bids at auction or negotiate private deals on behalf of the client. In doing so, our clients save time and expense while remaining anonymous.
- We assist in navigating the chaotic environment of public auctions and art fairs.
- We are not affiliated with galleries or auction houses, so we are able to provide impartial advice. Our loyalty is to the client, and we negotiate the best deal possible.
- Because of our own established relationships within the industry, clients are positioned to acquire museum-quality works of art privately and discreetly.
- We are compensated exclusively by our clients. Any price concessions negotiated are credited to our clients. We are often able to negotiate discounts sufficient to cover our fees.
Other Services
Observe Art™ is also able to offer the following services on behalf of our clients:
- Assist with collection management by taking inventory of your property
- Coordinate with local appraisers to provide fair market valuations for estate planning, charitable donation and insurance purposes.
- Coordinate the shipping, storage, conservation, framing and installation of each work of art.
- Provide referrals to art lenders against works currently in your collection.