Monday 23 June 2014

Enjoying Art at London's Auction Houses

London has some of the best museums in the world.
It equally attracts a lot of tourists that 
visit solely on this attraction alone.

It gets so crowded with tour and school groups side by side with regular visitors and locals trying to enjoy the art.

So a local and insider tip to any Londoners and tourists 
out there is to go and visit the leading auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christie's.


Before any auction held, the items to go under the hammer are displayed for at least a few days before the day of the sale.

Renoir's artistic version of "Look but don't touch."

Several times a year there are world class and museum pieces that go on sale.
These works of art rarely come up for sale so they group them in one or two sales a year.


This is an iconic piece from Monet that would not be out of place at any Parisian Museum or the National Gallery.  
But at an estimated price of £20 - 30 million pounds 
(not necessarily the same as the price it will be sold at), 
the sad truth is that this painting will not be able to be viewed again for most of us.


The buyers are usually billionaires who purchase for private residential viewing or as part of a special investment.  Or it might be sold to a private hedge fund who displays it in a board room which is also difficult to access for the general public.

Who would you guess sketched this below?


It was by Monet. 
I was a bit surprised when I went up close to see who it was by.  

But this sort of "unfinished" piece or 
less dramatic pieces don't get shown in most museums.
The reason is because a lot of museums just don't have the space so they have to make decisions to give the public the best curated art which means this level of art is stored in vaults below.


I know that £50 - 70k is a lot of money but for most museums this wouldn't make the cut for a general exhibition so I appreciate having the opportunity to see other works by Monet other than what he has become "branded" for.



Even Sotheby's knows the power of styling.
They put lovely flowers next to one of Chagall's painting.
Interestingly enough, a lot of serious collectors apparently avoid purchasing Chagall as there was a huge scandal of fake and 
forged Marc Chagall paintings.

Another reason I love attending the auction previews is that ultimately it is a sale so the paintings are well lit and seem to be perfect to hang in your house!


I was torn between the Leger above and the Picasso below.
Nothing too dramatic but it is very livable art.



This Sisley may not rank very high among art critics but I would be delighted to have this in my study.
Standards seem to change for displaying in an exhibit 
versus the home.


Mr CSW was attracted to this painting by Chagall but I protested.


But he also disagreed with my choice of this Vuillard below.


This argument was purely theoretical at the going prices.

Another benefit for viewing art at auction houses is that there are trained and educated staff who will answer any questions.


As they are meant to stand there in certain shifts, speaking to prospective clients is a way for them to pass time and they are more than happy to share their knowledge.


But the main advantage is the quiet!


The space...


It is considered crowded if their is one other person in your 
section of the room.


Yes there are invite only preview cocktail parties but for the most part it is open to the general public.
There is no need to be intimidated to enter. 


You don't feel rushed and can just go back and forth to whichever piece catches your eye.


I thought I might be witness to an art heist when I noticed a blank wall but it was just temporarily taken away for further inspection.


But it was quite artsy in itself.
This might be the type of painting 
I can hang from this auction in my house!

36 comments:

  1. Hello Naomi,

    You are absolutely right about the quality of museums in London. They are amazingly good and many of the permanent exhibitions can be visited for free. Indeed, for this reason one can afford the luxury of only viewing a few rooms to return at another time to see something else. Otherwise, it can all be too overwhelming.

    The auction houses do provide some excellent opportunities for seeing not only Art but also many other decorative items. Unfortunately, as you say, the sale prices for many things are way out of reach but that does not reduce the pleasure of viewing.

    We could happily live with any of the paintings you show here and how wonderful that you had the exhibition space almost to yourselves. Perfect! The Soane Museum is an absolute favourite of ours and, once upon a time, we used to enjoy that in almost isolation. No longer.....

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    1. When I go to the National Gallery now - I pick the emptiest room and then just leave afterwards bc there seems to be a converyer sushi belt method of viewing art sometimes. I remember when ther was no one at the Wallace but there was a queue to get in the other day...Alas the Soane has been getting a lot of attention and even more so as you are not allowed to take pictures so there is no internet viewing as such. Funny because I do plan on visiting again late summer. I heard they do amazing evening tours which sound great but it requires advance booking and I like things to be a bit spontaneous. But I adore going to auction houses regardless of objects and find it is an underutilized London resource.

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  2. The Leger.

    I like having paintings at home, regardless of who painted them. It makes a house a home.

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    1. The Leger is so good that I could give up TV for it. ( well almost) I agree that art makes a home and I think it is more important than furniture dare I say.

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  3. Naomi
    Will you attend the sale this evening, you know, for the fun of it all, and to rub the proverbial shoulder? Is it me, but does it seem a bit soulless to be purchasing a painting for anything more than 50 million, heck, 10 million, shoot, one million? And, if anything, shouldn’t art have soul?

    What a sweet little sketch by Monet, a wonderful why not moment! It is such fun to imagine him alive, striding the world as a giant, and just giving that subject, two precious little children, a whirl, and then, capturing the moment perfectly. I guess that’s why he’s Monet…

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    1. I have gone to some and they are hit and miss. Right now is not the time bc it is summer and italian fashion week is on. A lot of action will be internet or phone bids. But I adore an auction!

      I love sketches by famous artists - the artist seems to get stripped back and we see a different side to them. This sketch was one of those - one rarely sees anything by him that isn't a garden scene so this was a precious piece. But I will admit that if I could afford I would have bought that Leger but then again it is probably only going to go for about a million ;)

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  4. Naomi, you have made my day sharing this! I will keep any eye out for similar sales in NYC and Boston, which I am more likely to get to. The prices are astronomical, aren't they? I like your Sisley too and could make fine use of it. We have inherited some fine pieces of art and bought pieces ourselves. My issue is that I do not have a ton of usable wall space, so eventually, it will be quite stacked one above the other....

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    1. Oh NY and Boston are other two great cities for auctions - especially Boston as there are more finds there and a bit more of New England history where things get resold from smaller auction houses to bigger ones. I could easily live in a house with a bed a chair and just art!!

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  5. Such a great idea to go to the viewings Naomi - and lucky you to have such world class art to view at the Auction rooms!! You've raised a few interesting points about art and museums. I feel quite torn about it. Most museums now have very large collections, and what is seen on permanent display is a fraction of what they actually have. The rest is loaned out semi permanently so that they can then call in favours for block buster exhibitions, or just shelved in their store rooms semi permanently. It means that a lot of collectors are reluctant to donate works to museums (obviously if you have some sort of world class collection of Monet's you'd not have this problem). THe other thing is that a lot of museums quietly sell off pieces that no longer fit their vision for the future direction of the museum. I was very disappointed last time I went to the Art Gallery of South Australia as they have a collection of William Morris furniture and textiles that is second only to the V&A's collection (there were several major Morris patrons that lived in Adelaide when he worked). THere was a tiny selection on display, it was VERY disappointing. But then, the gallery has taken a few weird turns of late and are following fashions set by other galleries and that will no doubt be thrown out in the future (I hope). Sorry, pet peeve. I've run on a little in this comment….
    I think Mr CSW is being very stingy to not let you buy any of your chosen pieces! xx

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    1. I always feel these auction houses are so underused. I once went with a friend and he asked if it was okay to go in. That is when I realized a lot of people don't realize that it is open to the public and it isn't an invite only location. I try and go see a lot of things because it rarely gets seen again so it seems such a pity...But I agree with this issue with museums! It is a huge problem but one obviously that isn't on the ranks of war or anything so doesn't seem to get much press. I think it is wasted to store things in vaults so they can raise the money to have outposts of museums in smaller cities where it is more affordable rather than just constantly raise money to buy more expensive paintings. In VIctoria, I mentioned this to a friend who used to work for the national gallery to open one in Bendigo or the Mornington but those suggestions seem to fizzle out. I figure if the Guggenheim can open in places such as Bilbao and the Tate can open in Cornwall then why not? It seems to have done wonders for those locations plus the art is breathing again. I did try my tactic of if you buy this painting for me you will never ever have to get me another present again but it didn't work!! ;) xx

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  6. Thanks for this tip, CSW. That Picasso would be at home here; the little Vuillard looks lovely and may be a genre I love (Women Doing Something--like reading or sewing).

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    1. Ok you can have the Picasso and I will have the VUillard. That's sorted without huge arguments :)

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  7. I had always assumed the Chrtistie's & Sotheby's viewings were by appointment only so this is a great tip. I always cringe when an oligarch, hedgie, or Saudi billionaire squirrels away one of those treasures. Our local big shot hedgie, Ken Griffin, bought a Cezanne for $60mil and $80mil for a Jasper Johns and loaned them to our Art Institute and he gave a vast sum for the new Modern Wing...he's very much of the old school of tycoon who uses much of his wealth for the public good unlike most of the other billionaires.

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    1. Interestingly as much as the corporate American culture is maligned, I can't find the sources now but apparently they are also the most generous with bequeathing wealth. It is a lot rare to see a British billionaire give away or donate pieces to a wing of a museum. Europe seems to be much more into the web of trusts and family legal wrangles. The Art Institute in Chicago is truly world class and it is thanks to those who donated so generously. Although equally the flip side to that is that I recall when Moma first opened I remember the names of the donors and family foundations named so prominently on the walls so as to take up space and compete with the actual art hehe. But I would rather that than it be hanging lonely in a room rarely visited!

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  8. thanks for sharing Naomi....I loved the visit (et Monet surtout) seems I was there from my sofa in Hong-Kong :) beautiful !!!!! xxx

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    1. Hong Kong has great auctions too so it would be fun to go around and have a peak at what is going on there! xxx

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  9. Thank you for this, I would have loved it. - so need to keep my eye out for the next one. I like what they call 'decorative arts' as well, though sometimes there are some real monstrosities.

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    1. I like the decorative arts one as well they usually have at South Ken and do find some really kitch pieces that make me smile. I always find it a lovely indoor walk as well when the weather is bad so a good outing with a friend in the winter.

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  10. When I lived in England, after college, in 1979, my roommate was studying at Sotheby's. She took me to an auction preview once. I remember seeing a painting Christo had done in preparation for Running Fences. I knew greatness when I saw it:). But I was too scared of the $10,000 estimation. Ah, youth. I'd LOVE to go back and look now. Thanks so much for the reminder of these great under the radar happenings.

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    1. $10000 back then could have bought you a house in a lot of places in England! It is such a relaxing vibe and I hope you get to visit soon!

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  11. Naomi you're so funny! I had no idea that this was something that anyone could do, I'm making note for our trip to London, MrBP would love an outing like this.
    Thanks Naomi for sharing this with us and also your picks! :)

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    1. That's why I tell you that you should stop by London!! They also have a great cafe for tea and lunch. You get all types there and is fab for people watching which is just as good as the art :))

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  12. I used to love visiting the museums and galleries in London in winter, or spring, or autumn - anytime when it wasn't taken over by the summer hoards!! Like the Hattatt's mentioned, it is such luxury to visit just a section or two at a time - easier to see it in depth and not be overwhelmed.

    But it's a great point about the auction houses as a fascinating place to see artwork. Especially because the artwork may otherwise never be curated in such a combination - which I think changes the whole viewpoint of it. I also love keeping in touch with who buys what, and who pays what for what - that's an artwork in itself!!

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    1. I am so happy that they don't charge for museums here. Just to be able to go and see a few paintings and leave is a true luxury. But you brought up a point I didn't bring which is that a lot of museum curators would never put certain paintings side by side and the end result is something else. But the selling curating works for me bc it makes me want every painting. But I also love seeing the story of owners behind the art as well.

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  13. Mrs. CSW
    By now, I’m guessing you saw that the Monet painting went for 54 million dollars, or some 32 million pounds. Now again, weren’t we just discussing the soul of art, and can you even have it at prices like that. Rather makes you wonder…

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    1. Ha! You could buy souls for that amount of money....the world is a funny place isn't it?

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  14. Hi Naomi, that bottom one is a bit like a postcard a friend sent me of a woman looking at a fire hydrant and wondering how it spoke to her. Actually when we were at the Guggenheim I was wondering if the drinking taps were art and then I saw someone drinking from them. I love seeing simple line drawing from the great masters, strips all the beauty down to such a simple form

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    1. I love how everything can be art in a gallery! I have been drawn to sketches and drawing lately probably for that very reason.

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  15. what a brilliant tip, and as you said to see interesting pieces that will never end up in a museum is so much more interesting.

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    1. I also think that the people who work at the auction houses are the best dressed women in London! Sooooo chic and well put together.

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  16. I have absolutely no idea about art; I don't know what or how to appreciate it. You'd be a good person to go with to excite my interest in it a bit more. I'd feel completely out of place going in to Christies or Sothebys but what the heck I feel out of place going in to Celine and Chanel as well. Have you bought any new interesting pieces for your house (cheaper versions or otherwise)? xx

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    1. I think you do but you aren't confident to think so. You have a lot of ideas of what goes together and what suits what. Style is a form of art for sure! I really want to convey that everyone is welcome there and I think Chanel would be happy to have the likes of you entering their store Colleen. I have got some very very much cheaper bargains and I will do a post about it some time xx

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  17. We have give up several times on entering a London Museum or a site to visit because of the crowd! I love your review and this visit. It is very interesting to know you could see the art before an auction and indeed see wonderful pieces which might never show up in a museum. Thanks for taking the time to share this.

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  18. This is wonderful to know. I expect the same thing applies here. Once upon a time we had a fabulous system where you could borrow art work from the library system. http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Collections/Art/History/ Alas no more. Recently I heard an art collector in NZ suggest that we should make a point of visiting student art exhibitions and purchasing at least one art work that appeals . That way we support artists and give ourselves the opportunity to build what might eventually become a worthwhile investment.

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  19. Took a moment the other day to consider the vastness of history, art etc that is in England and Europe for that matter compared to our young Canada. We do well considering with our galleries and museums but as I read your posts I am agog with what you have right in your "neighbourhood".

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