Archived Articles --- Fine Arts
Ukiyo-e: Pictures of the Floating World
Shawne MacIntyre, MMSt., ISA AM


In 2007, Christie’s Auctioneers in London sold a fine, early impression of Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic Edo Japan-era woodblock print Gaifu Kaisei (South Wind, Clear Weather), more commonly known as “Red Fuji,” for £288,500 (in excess of $600,000 USD). This world record is even more extraordinary when one considers the humble origins of the ukiyo-e genre. This article explores the history of Japanese ukiyo-e prints and the current market for them.


Correcting History Through Art
Barbara Salter Nelson


Since 1992 artist Theodore Morris has dedicated his life to correcting the distorted and misrepresented history of the Timucua Indians, Florida’s earliest settlers, in order to provide a realistic portrayal of who they really were and how they lived. This article relates how history, science, and art are working together to correct centuries of inaccuracies and preserve the past for current and future generations.


Issues in Authentication: Provenance, Catalogues Raisonné and Definitive Experts
Danielle T. Rahm


Constantly changing scholarship often challenges the authenticity of time-honored works of art, creating a time consuming and frustrating procedure for collectors. This article helps us understand and navigate the complexities and limitations of the authentication process.


The Rise Of The Illustration Art Market
Matthew S. Wilcox


Illustration art–paintings and drawings created specifically for reproduction–is a historically overlooked class of art. Art and social historians, however, are now coming to appreciate the untapped well of cultural information encoded into such “commercial art.” This article explores the history of illustration art and its current status in the art marketplace.


Eccentric Visions: Collecting Outsider Art
Victoria Shaw-Williamson


“Visionary Art,” “Art Brut,” “Outsider Art” and other labels have been developed over the years in an attempt to categorize self-taught artists who work outside of the mainstream art world. These labels can provide insight to those who find themselves drawn to the work of the self-taught. Exquisitely rendered, technically astute and sometimes highly disturbing, Outsider Art appears to be here to stay. This article traces the history of Outsider Art and offers advice for those who are interest


The Real Deal or a Convincing (Furniture) Fake?
Jennifer Garland Ross


In the spring of 2008 the antiques world was shocked by headlines that since 1987 a British cabinetmaker and restorer of English and Continental Furniture had been churning out “antiques” made from old pieces of furniture, like panels from antique wardrobes, and legs from one piece of furniture placed on another. Despite high-profile cases like this one, there are far fewer true fakes out there than one would expect, and specialists weed most of them out. Still, it is important for collectors


The American Dream Fires Cuban Artist’s Creative Spirit
Barbara Salter Nelson


While the patrons of an elite country club in Palm Coast, Florida, admire the sunset mirrored on the Atlantic Ocean, back in the kitchen a celebrated Cuban artist begins washing the first of countless loads of dishes. If he were still living in Cuba, this particular dishwasher would be one of the distinguished guests ... So begins a fascinating article discussing the art and recent history of Uldis López Paredes, whose magnificent sculptures and installations are in museums, galleries, and pr


An (Un)Natural Progression; Damien Hirst and the Future of Art Sales
Josh Straus


British artist Damien Hirst, who achieved fame via a series of artworks in which dead animals such as a shark, a sheep and a cow are preserved in formaldehyde, is vying to secure his spot as maverick-in-chief of the contemporary art world — and he is fairing quite well. In bypassing his dealers and taking works directly to auction, Hirst has, it would appear, upset the artist/dealer/auction progression through which new works traditionally enter the market. In doing so, Hirst has blurred the


Art Is For All: A Brief Look At Art Collecting Through The Ages
Lisa M. Barnes


Many of us would have agreed with the art critic John Russell when he wrote, “What is a value in our society in [the collecting and buying of art] is not the sensational price of this or that, but the continuity of collecting, the awareness of the enormous pleasure that can be had from a work of art.” (John Russell, November 22, 1987, New York Times). Yet, this is largely a contemporary sentiment. In earlier periods of history aesthetic enjoyment was only a part of the desire that prompted pa


What Do You Get If You Buy This Piece? An Introduction to Installation Art
Lisa A. Porter


At the Solomon Projects’ exhibit space at Aqua Wynwood in Miami last December, a visitor would have come upon a collection of objects in the far corner. What at first glance seemed to be a hodge-podge of flea market finds – including a desk, papers, shelves, and an electric fan – was, in fact, an example of installation art constructed by Douglas Weathersby. Gallery owner Nancy Solomon explained that one of the inevitable questions from clients looking at installation art is, “What do you get


Who Owns Your Art?: The Importance of Due Diligence for Fine Art Collectors
Jonathan S. Ziss, Esq, partner Margolis Edelstein


Your ownership of the works of art in your collection can be impaired by liens, by theft, by previous contractual arrangements whereby ownership rights have been pledged, or by violation of import/export laws. Of these, theft is by far the most common. According to the FBI, art theft is a crime of major global proportions with estimated losses running as high as six billion dollars annually. Interpol notes that this is exceeded only by trafficking in illegal narcotics, money laundering, and


Inuit Art Finds A Place In The Contemporary Market
By Shawne MacIntyre, MMSt., ISA AM


Inuit art as we formally recognize it today has only enjoyed a lifespan of approximately sixty years. In this light, the market growth of the last five to ten years can be considered truly remarkable. Initially viewed and marketed as a ‘handicraft’ or ‘souvenir’ art, Inuit art has evolved into a sophisticated genre with international appeal to collectors and curators alike. Sculptures in ivory and stone were the first Inuit creations to be marketed, but these were followed by graphics, and l


A Short History of the Collecting of Photographs as Art
Penelope Dixon, AAA


The collecting of photographs was practically simultaneous with the invention of photography. People quickly became obsessed with capturing their own likenesses. P. and D. Colnaghi, a well-established art gallery in London, sold photographs as early as the 1850s, representing the work of both Roger Fenton and Julia Margaret Cameron. Although “photography as art” continued to be debated, by the early 20th century photographs had become firmly established as collectibles. This article revie


Cheaper By The Dozen?: Blockage Discounts in Art Valuation
J. Lee Drexler and James R. Cohen


David Smith, the now famous American sculptor, died in 1965 owning 425 pieces of his own creation. In the audit of the estate tax return, the IRS valued each piece as if it had been sold separately. The estate argued for a “blockage discount,” a valuation based on what could be obtained if all 425 sculptures were offered for sale at the same moment. The 1972 Tax Court opinion on the issue (57 T.C. 650), written by Judge Tannenwald, is the well-spring from which all art blockage discounts flow


A Stellar Return: Southern Regional Art One Year after Katrina
Elissa Gydish, ASA


As previously chronicled in Chubb Collectors, Neal Auction Company held its annual Louisiana Purchase Auction ™ in Jackson Mississippi only a few months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast (The Market for Southern Regional Art in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina, April 17, 2006). In the year since the storm, Neal Auction made a seamless transition back to its hastily vacated sales rooms in New Orleans, where, just weeks after the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the company a


A Worthy Excursion: The Venice Biennale and documenta 12
Lisa A. Porter


Two major contemporary art events converge in Europe this year. Summer 2007 presents the extraordinary opportunity to see both the Venice Biennale, and documenta 12 (which really is spelled with a small ‘d.’), the art exhibition presented every five years in Kassel, Germany. Imagine four unforgettable months of the best in international contemporary art set against a backdrop of Europe’s greatest masterworks. documenta 12 is June 16 to September 23, 2007, (www.documenta.de) and the Venice


SOUTHERN SILVER: Gentility, Tenacity, and Romance in the Marketplace
By Charlotte M. Crabtree and Bart Mullin, AAA


The words “Southern silver” can conjure the romantic image of a delicate Southern belle gathering up and burying her family’s most treasured silver heirlooms only moments before the Yankees descend upon the plantation. Perhaps the romance of such an image can be credited with the recent explosion in prices in the Southern silver collector marketplace, but this article helps us move beyond the romantic, to a better understanding of the trend. It will help those new to this collecting area by e


Louis Style Case Furniture In 19th Century Paris: The Finer Points
Olivier Soustelle


From the 1850s on, newly wealthy industrialists and middle class buyers alike swooned over Louis revival French case furniture. Because such revival designs were purchased by both the fabulously wealthy and ordinary middle class consumers, one key issue for today’s collector is how to differentiate between the rather ordinary mass output of the time, and the finer-quality meubles de luxe, or luxury furniture. This article provides guidelines that will assist collectors in buying nineteenth-cen


New Media Art
Lisa A. Porter


New media art, which emerged from the traditions of film and performance art in the 1960s, encompasses video as well as all sorts of technology including sound, light and interactive computer-generated imagery. Because of its unique qualities and the increase of accessibility thanks to digital technology, new media art has increased in popularity during the mid-1990s. New media art has come to be an integral part of international art fairs, now has entire galleries devoted to it, is collected


The Market for Southern Regional Art in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina
Elissa Ann Gydish


During last August’s Hurricane Katrina, Neal Auction Company of New Orleans (www.nealauction.com) saw its staff, its art collection, and its computer server scattered to locations across the country, yet only three months later its greatly anticipated annual Louisiana Purchase Auction™ saw astonishing results. This article chronicles the company’s response to the approaching storm and its recovery in the aftermath, and examines the future for southern art post-Katrina.


STOLEN: Is It Still a Masterpiece If No One Can Find It?
Interview w/filmmaker Rebecca Dreyfus;Staff Writer


In 1990 the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston was the scene of the largest art heist in modern times. Among the works taken was “The Concert,” by Johannes Vermeer. It is thought to be the world’s most valuable missing painting. Filmmaker Rebecca Dreyfus talks to our staff writer about her film “STOLEN,” which explores the unsolved case and its cast of characters. The film opens April 21st at the Cinema Village, 22 East 12th St. in NYC and select theaters across the country-www.


Collecting Fine Art Prints
Ruth Crnkovich


Collecting prints is a good way to begin an art collection, or add a new dimension to an existing one. Many young collectors who began “testing the waters” by buying affordable art have amassed wonderful collections of important artwork. This article provides useful information for anyone starting out collecting prints.


THE TROUBLE WITH CONTEMPORARY ART
Alex J. Rosenberg, Sc.D


Contemporary Art is the most challenging of all categories of art for the collector, the dealer and the appraiser. Its extremely wide scope and availability makes it far more difficult to isolate, describe or categorize, and often little or no reliable information is available. An estimated 90% of all contemporary art was created in the city in which it is being sold or appraised and is unknown elsewhere. This article explores the difficulties involved in collecting and appraising art made by


When Home is Where the Art Is: Hanging and Installation Tips for Collectors
Dorit Straus


There is no doubt that having art on display in our homes enriches our lives, but keeping it safe and secure in an active and busy household can be a challenge. This article explores some of the basic methods used by professional art installers.


Enchanting the Eye: Dutch Paintings of the Golden Age at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Press Release


You may have missed the Royal Wedding but if you're visiting London this year, plan a stop at Buckingham Palace to see this extraordinary exhibition from The Royal Collection, which contains one of the world's finest groups of 17th-century Dutch paintings.


Jacques-Louis David: Empire to Exile
Press Release


The first exhibition to explore the transformation of Jacques-Louis David’s art following the French Revolution will be presented at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts from until September 5, 2005. Jacques-Louis David: Empire to Exile is also the first major exhibition in the United States to focus exclusively on David’s work.


Enchanting the Eye: Dutch Paintings of the Golden Age at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Press Release


You may have missed the Royal Wedding but if you are visiting London this year, plan a stop at Buckingham Palace to see this extraordinary exhibition from The Royal Collection, which contains one of the world's finest groups of 17th-century Dutch paintings.


Masterworks of Ancient Egyptian Art on View at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Press Release


From January 27 to May 22, 2005 the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts will present Eternal Egypt: Masterworks of Ancient Art from the British Museum, 144 exceptional artifacts spanning over 3,000 years of history, from the Predynastic Period to the Roman Occupation. This is a great opportunity to see many amazing pieces of Egyptian art from the British Museum, the second largest collection in the world after only the Cairo Museum.


Transformed By Fire: African Ceramics And Iron Art From The Mortimer B. And Sue Fuller Collection
Press Release


Whether or not you are a collector of ceramics, if you plan to be in Birmingham, Alabama in early December, be sure to visit the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) to see this exhibition which highlights fascinating works of art from West African culture dating from the 19th to 20th centuries.


Expanded Museum of Modern Art to Re-Open in Midtown Manhattan
Press Release


Any visit to New York in late November should include a stop at the newly expanded Museum of Modern Art. Opening day, November 20th, will commemorate the Museum’s 75th anniversary and herald the completion of the most extensive rebuilding and renovation project in the museum’s history. In addition to display of its core collections in new permanent galleries, the temporary exhibition space, will present “Nine Museums” by architect Yoshio Taniguchi, who designed the expansion.


Splendor of Florence in New York
Press Release


If you are in New York from September 30 - October 10, be sure to experience the Splendor of Florence. This Chubb sponsored event is an eleven-day festival that honors the artists and artisans of Florence, Italy. It will feature 20 magnificent 16th and 17th century portraits of the powerful Medici family, seven concerts, lectures, a photo exhibition and more.


Pioneer American Impressionist Childe Hassam on Display in New York
Press Release


Come see the work of Childe Hassam, pioneer and perhaps most devoted, prolific and successful practitioner of American Impressionism. More than 120 of Hassam's oil paintings, watercolors, and pastels, and some 20 prints are on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.


The Small Hours
Madeleine Schulz


It's not size that matters. This article explores the complex history of collecting miniatures from the 15th century to today and shows how these works are now taking their place among the pantheon of sculptures, prints and paintings in the world's greatest museums and private collections.


Collecting English Sterling Silver
Katherine Yellen


Learn about the care and craftsmanship that makes many pieces of antique silver truly dazzling works of art. This article discusses the many elements of silver making and explains how to properly evaluate an antique piece.


Determining the Authenticity of Antique American Furniture
Harold Sack


Have you ever come across a piece of antique American furniture being sold at a price that was too good to be true? This article outlines the degrees of authenticity and provides information that can help you determine if a piece of antique American furniture is genuine.


Byzantine Treasures on Display in New York
Press Release


Do not miss the opportunity to see more than 350 masterpieces of Byzantine art from some 30 nations on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.


Rare Opportunity to See the Work of Rembrandt
Press Release


If you are in Chicago this month, be sure to attend the first-ever American exhibition to examine Rembrandt’s masterful printmaking skills as displayed in his paintings and drawings. Featured at the Art Institute of Chicago, the exhibition focuses on themes to which Rembrandt returned repeatedly, in different media and always with a new perspective.


Echoing Images: Human Duality in African Sculpture on Display in New York
Press Release


Do not miss the opportunity to view some 60 works of African sculpture on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The exhibition, Echoing Images, presents a dynamic range of artistic commentaries on human duality as expressed in the sculpture of 30 different African cultures.


Winter Antiques Show Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Press Release


Don't miss your opportunity to attend the 50th anniversary of the event that has helped make New York City one of the great antiques capitals of the world—the Winter Antiques Show. This year's show will feature more than 74 U.S. and international dealers in English, American, European and Asian furniture, paintings and decorative arts.


Degas Sculptures on Display at Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco
Press Release


If you are in San Francisco this month, don't miss the opportunity to view sculptures created by the great French Impressionist master Edgar Degas. The Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco is featuring an exhibition of 73 bronze sculptures by Degas.


The Paintings and Drawings of Philip Guston
Press Release


If you are in New York City this month, don't miss the opportunity to view the work of American painter Philip Guston. A major retrospective of the artist's work, featuring more than 75 paintings and drawings, will be on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.


Bill Blass: An Icon of American Style
Press Release


Learn about American fashion legend Bill Blass and how his collection of furniture, paintings, sculpture and antiques reflects the chic and glamour that fueled his brilliant design career. Over 1,000 items from the designer's collection are to be sold at auction at Sotheby's in New York this October.


On the Trail of Early Silver Plating
Robert Goldberg


Do you collect silver? Learn about the history of silver plating and discover ways to spot the work of craftsman using close plating, fused plating and electroplating techniques.


Bronze Sculptures of the Renaissance
Press Release


Don’t miss the opportunity to see the work of one of the most innovative Dutch sculptors of the mid-16th century. The Frick Collection, New York, and the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, have collaborated to develop a touring exhibition of the bronze sculptures of Willem van Tetrode. The exhibit is on display in New York throughout August.


Manet and the American Civil War
Press Release


Celebrate American history this July by viewing Edouard Manet’s depiction of an important episode of the American Civil War—the naval duel between the U.S.S. Kearsarge and C.S.S. Alabama. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is presenting Manet’s paintings in a dossier exhibition devoted to the artist’s interest in the American Civil War.


Signs and Symbols: The Secret Language of Textiles
Caroline Ashleigh


Give me a sign! This article shows how understanding the signs and symbols of textiles can give a collector a broader view of the messages within this art form.


Modern Artists on Display in Two New York Museums
Press Release


Want to experience two important artists of the early 20th century? Exhibitions of American photographer Charles Sheeler and German painter Max Beckmann will be on display in New York starting this June.


Exhibition of Russian Artist Kasimir Malevich Featured in New York
Press Release


Don’t miss this international exhibition of 120 paintings and drawings of one of the seminal founders of non-objective art in the 20th century—Kasmir Malevich.


Whistler, Women, and Fashion
Press Release


Read about the work of James Whistler and his lively interchange between art and fashion. Or experience it. Attend The Frick Collection’s exhibition in New York that features over 60 pieces of the artist’s work.


A Snapshot of the Photograph Market
Penelope Dixon


Learn about the exciting world of photograph collecting. This article offers a brief history about the photograph market in addition to tips on what to look for in a photograph and where to go to buy one.


Myths of Origin in African Sculpture
Press Release


Celebrate Black History Month by visiting an exhibition of some of the finest public and private collections of African art in the United States. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is featuring 70 pieces of African sculpture in “Genesis: Ideas of Origin in African Sculpture” during the month of February.


The Romance and Riches of the Sailor’s Valentine
Irene Austin-Gillis


Looking for a special gift for that special someone this Valentine’s Day? Learn how seamen of the 1800s expressed their love with Sailor’s Valentines—an antique item that has become tremendously popular among collectors in recent years.


Collecting Time: A Look at Horology and Incense Seal Timepieces
Martha L. Tips


Celebrate the beginning of 2003 by learning more about horology—the science of measuring time and the art of making timepieces. This article explores the origins of horology and takes a close look at incense seal timepieces, early devices used to measure time intervals that make great additions to antique collections.


Tips on Purchasing Antique Furniture
Marigold Lamb


If you’re considering purchasing antique furniture this year, this article is a must read. Appraiser Marigold Lamb offers tips on how to get the best piece of antique furniture for your money.


Da Vinci Drawings to Appear at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Press Release


Did you make a New Year’s resolution not to let good opportunities pass you by in 2003? Don’t miss your chance to take a look at the drawings of an artist recognized as a genius by both the art and science communities. Nearly 120 of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings will be on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art starting January 22.


A Toast to a Regal Stein
Robert H. Goldberg


What better way to bring in the new year than to brandish your brew in a brilliantly designed beer stein. This article explores the history behind some of Germany’s most elaborate beer steins and provides tips on how collectors can spot superb craftsmanship in this medium.


Book Collecting and the Collectors of Books
Marvin Mondlin


Explore the vast realm of book collecting and the passion that inspired 12 of history’s most accomplished book collectors.


Collecting Halloween Memorabilia
Irene Austin-Gillis


From witches to warlocks, from ghosts to goblins, celebrate the magic of Halloween this year by reading about a great American tradition—collecting Halloween memorabilia.


Seven Generations and the Progression of Native Art
Gwen Yeaman


Gwen Yeaman, appraiser of Native American fine arts, reviews some of America's largest venues for Native Art and describes how tribal wisdom can be applied to the world of collecting.


How Imari Porcelain Captivated the West
Robert H. Goldberg


See why American collectors have been captivated by Imari porcelain and its brilliant palette of iron red, cobalt, green and gold since the 1850s. Professional appraiser Robert Goldberg writes about the magic of this Japanese ceramic and provides a brief history on how it came to the west.


The Mysteries and Methods of Appraising an Old Master Painting: Part II
Paul J. Cardile, Ph.D.


Get an inside look at the process fine art appraisers use to evaluate old master paintings. Part II of this two-part article describes the use of provenance during an appraisal, offers a case history in the identification of a painting, and outlines the valuation process.


Collecting Americana
Irene Austin-Gillis


Celebrate the Fourth of July by learning more about American art. This article explores some key art forms cultivated in America.


The Mysteries and Methods of Appraising an Old Master Painting: Part I
Paul J. Cardile, Ph.D.


Get an inside look at the process fine art appraisers use to evaluate old master paintings. Part I of this two-part article describes the parameters of this field, outlines the methodology for conducting such appraisals, and provides answers to common question about restoration work.


Buying Art at Auction: Insider Tips
Stephen P. Sweeting


Ever feel intimidated while trying to buy art at auction? Fine Art Specialist Stephen Sweeting reveals dozens of tips that can help even a novice collector approach an auction like a pro.


Collecting Contemporary Studio Glass
James Corcoran


Fine arts appraiser James Corcoran explores a “well established; yet still developing” realm of fine art—contemporary studio glass.


If It's Paris, It Must Be Porcelain
Robert Goldberg


Professional appraiser Robert Goldberg writes about the history of Paris Porcelain and the “conspiracy, theft and all kinds of skullduggery” that surround these precious items.


An Inside Look at Cuban Art
Alex J. Rosenberg


Explore the history of Cuban art with Alex J. Rosenberg, a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America and the only American to hold Cuba’s order of Culture award, given to him for building Cultural bridges between Cuba and the U.S.A.


Native American Art? You Can’t Judge a Book By its Cover
Gwen Yeaman


Learn from Gwen Yeaman, a mixed blood Tradition Bearer and teacher of Native Material Culture and Accredited Professional Appraiser, about the deep, culturally rich elements of Native American Art.


Tracey Emin's Interest in Mysticism
Renee Vara


Read about how mysticism has greatly influenced the work of Tracey Emin, one of the most recognized artists in England and Chubbcollector.com’s feature artist of the month.


ArtHeals to Raise Money for Victims of September 11
www.arthealsevent.com


Are you looking for a way to help victims of the September 11 tragedy this holiday season? Try buying some art at ArtHeals.


Insider Tips for Collecting Outsider Art
Shari Cavin


Learn about Outsider Art from inside the industry. Shari Cavin, appraiser, dealer and collector of Outside art offers her perspective on collecting this relatively new type of art.


Paint Decorated American Furniture
Helaine and Burton Fendelman


Read about one of America's most prized and sought after antiques, paint decorated furniture. The article explains how this style of furniture combines the composition of a painter, the grace of a sculptor, and the skill of a cabinetmaker to create one of America's most unique and memorable forms of decorative art.


Chinese Silver for the West
Martin Lorber


When you think of Chinese art, do you think of silver? Learn more about how the Chinese have been using silver as a decorative metal since the fifth century B.C. and how exporting to the West greatly shaped China's present day silver production.


The Shrinking Fields of Brimfield
Victor Wiener


Victor Wiener, Executive Director of the Appraisers Association of America, reflects on his recent trip to the antique marketplace in Brimfield, MA.


The Ins and Outs of Fine Art Appraisals
Roslyn Bakst Goldman


Here's an excellent review of the various types of fine art appraisals available to collectors and professionals.


Tramp Art: An Enduring Craft
Helaine Fendelman


Learn about the beginnings of this wonderful type of folk art.


The Art Loss Register
Anna J. Kisluk


Anna J. Kisluk, director of the Art Loss Register, describes the ALR's theft recovery services.


The Tibetan Thanka - A Sacred Art
Jane Werner-Aye


Jane Werner-Aye, a specialist in Tibetan art, introduces the wonder of thankas.





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