Remarkable American Artworks and Their Inside Stories
American art appraisers and buyers know that American artworks often have intriguing and storied histories, which can not only help sellers and buyers authenticate and set a value on the artwork, but also contribute to the character and figurative texture of American artwork. Professional antique buyers know that the best artworks often have equally interesting inside stories. Whether you are an American paintings buyer looking to know more about American artworks, or you’re curious about some of the most notable American artworks released in the past two decades, then you will want to take a look at this curated list of two of the most remarkable American artworks and their inside stories.
American Gothic by Grant Wood
Is there a painting more American than “American Gothic”? This unique double portrait painting by Grant Wood is one of the most recognizable paintings in the world. Yet, despite its popularity, there are still many little-known facts about the painting that would surprise readers. For instance, the man and woman in the painting are not actually husband and wife: the woman is the artist’s sister and the man is the artist’s dentist, fulfilling a contract that he signed earlier in the year.
American Gothic was considered a ‘smash hit’ in the world of painting when it was first released. It was eventually acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is still housed for public view today.
Classical oil portrait by Robert Henri
Not all American art treasures were rescued from boats or smuggled out of Europe during times of war. A classical portrait completed by American painter Robert Henri in 1907 depicts a woman in an ornate costume. The woman in question is the grandmother of the person who currently owns the painting. The painting has been kept in their family for generations, serving as a focal point at meals, holiday gatherings, and much more.
The ultimate value of the painting, as given by Antiques Roadshow, was $250,000 to $300,000 when the episode aired in 2010. This value was increased to $500,000 to $700,000 in 2016.
Considerations When Determining Value of American Artworks
If you are part of the American art appraisers and buyers collective group, then you have the benefit of having easy and close access to a wealth of resources and information that can help you uncover the history, physical characteristics, and overall story of various objects.
Some considerations you will need to keep in mind when determining the value of any artwork are the presence of any cracks, split seams, water damage, or other types of damage. You should also take note of the costs associated with the subject or subjects being depicted in the painting.
Whether you’ve been part of the community for years or you are just starting out with a few new paintings, you may benefit from purchasing a membership subscription. A membership subscription benefits everyone and provides a host of unique events, VIP status, and other perks that you won’t find anywhere else than in France.
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Tips to Follow While Buying or Selling Your American Art
Artwork is an important part of every culture and American culture is no exception. There is a unique vibe to American artwork. It is present in the work of disparate, famous American artist from John Singer Sargent to Jasper Johns to Grant Wood to Georgia O’Keefe to Jackson Pollock and many more. Different styles but an American feel. That American vibe makes collecting American artwork fun and, when figuring out the value of a piece you might be planning to buy or sell, challenging. American art auctions are full of valuable and impressive pieces. American art collectors are a savvy and eclectic bunch of people who have high standards. In this article we will look at some handy tips to follow when buying or selling your American art.
1. How is the Value of American Art Determined.
You should be aware of how the value of your artwork is determined. Be aware that there are certain factors that will determine what American art collectors will pay for your piece, or what you should be willing to pay if you are the collector. Artwork should first be authenticated. This can be easy with contemporary pieces when the artist is alive to authentic a piece. It is a trickier with older, historic pieces that have passed through many owners. Serious art collectors always insist on authentication. Value is also determined by who the artist was, the more famous the artist, the more the artwork is worth. The condition of the artwork, size and materials it is made of (ie. oil paintings are often more expensive than watercolors) help determine value. In some cases, the subject of painting or statue can add value. So can provenance (who it previously belonged to). In the end, the marketplace dictates the final value of piece of art.
2. Get American Art Appraised by an Expert.
Whether you are planning on selling American art online or you are at a gallery and spot a piece that you just have to have, it is a good idea to look for American art appraisers who can help you feel confident about the true value of the piece. A well-trained expert has detailed knowledge of American history and artwork that allows them to accurately determine the origins, age, and value of your artwork. They also understand the market and the legal details involved in selling one valuable piece or a whole collection. It is important to hire an expert to evaluate the artwork. Before hiring an appraiser check their educational and professional background and compare their prices with other experts.
3. Don’t pay sticker price.
When you go to a gallery browse and don’t be afraid to haggle. Most of the time the contract between the artist and gallery will allow the gallery to lower the price by a small percentage. Also, if you love a piece by particular artist but can’t afford it, consider asking to look at other pieces by the same artist. There might be a less expensive one that is in your budget. American painting buyers know a good deal when they come across one!
4. Go to American Art Auctions Prepared
If you go to American art auctions, do you homework. Study the auction catalog. Consider hiring an art expert to advise you at the auction. They are helpful in quickly determining how high you should be willing to bid. The pace at auctions can be fast and the bidding can be confusing at times. If in doubt, don’t get into the bidding. Just watch. Be wary of online auctions. They aren’t always as reliable when it comes to authenticity and provenance. American art collectors love auctions and they can be fun but it pays to be prepared.
5. Other Resources for American Art Collectors and Sellers.
Fifth, the internet is a valuable tool to use when buying or selling American art. It can almost be too valuable. You will get a lot of results. Some are top-tier, such a Sotheby’s auction house. Premier auction houses like Sotheby’s are pretty much guaranteed to have great art for sale and to get you a good price if you are selling with them online. The same for premiere art galleries. However, the Internet provides a place to connect with auction houses, galleries, American art appraisers, buyers and sellers of all types. Many artists are selling their art online. Many people are selling the artwork they own online. There are also other resources that can help you. There are books available at your local library, at bookstores, and on Amazon that provide comprehensive price lists for American art. There are also a variety of websites that will help you research the value of American artwork and find American art appraisers. Thanks to the internet it is easier than ever to buy and sell your American art.