selling a work of art

[xelasnave]

I have a painting which may be reasonably valuable.
Can anyone suggest what do.
I expect one should seek and appraisor..
Who to sell it ..offer it to the various collections
Any guidance appreciated.
The artist is Joshua Smith.

[csb (Craig)]

So, he won the Archibald prize in 1944 and there is a bit of controversy.

Wikipedia: "Joshua Smith (1905 – 22 July 1995) was an Australian artist who won the Archibald Prize in 1944 . . . but is better known as the subject of the previous year's controversial Archibald Prize win, by artist William Dobell.

Although the portrait of him was very popular . . . a court case relating to the portrait in 1943 damaged his career, as well as Dobell's . . . In an interview in 1991 Smith called the portrait a curse, a phantom that haunts me. It has torn at me every day of my life. I've tried to bury it inside me in the hope it would die, but it never does . . ."

[xelasnave]

I don't have the portrait but that's the artist.

[hotspur (Chris)]

About a year ago,I was asked to appointed to sell on behalf of an estate,to sell all the artworks and so on.Why on earth the lowest rung on the station ladder-me-a dingo trapper was given such a task I do not know.The owners/managers did know I worked in that area in the eighties,but that was along time ago.

Anyhow,I went through my archives of 'art and antique' magazines from the eighties,and eventually meet a art director,and the deals were done.

Most Eastern seaboard cities will have antique and art shops all bunched together,I'd suggest hitting those areas,and talking with dealers.

I found I contacted three dealers,the first two showed little or no interest,the third,was great,everyone was happy.So much so the owners/managers of estate gave me another assignment in same arena.The dealer sent me a rather posh looking brocher of the opening night of the said art work,all very swish.I had a dealer down South kinda interested,but by the time freight taken out,and he was not as keen as the fellow I found in Brisbane-all that type of thing to thing about.After you get some good info on your painting,you could go through an auction house,but there are lots of fees,and complications,so unless it valued at many thousands,and firm likely hood of selling I'd avoid that.

Be aware,the you will likely get very little interest in your painting,but do not be disheartened keep trying sooner or later,you will get one that will be over the moon with your offering.Then keep asking about,you may find as I did it will be only one or two dealers that will have keen interest.If you are Melbourne/Sydney way,you should have better fortune than around Brisbane area.

[xelasnave]

Thanks Chris
Sounds like a lotta effort I might leave it for. An estate sale

[hotspur (Chris)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Thanks Chris
Sounds like a lotta effort I might leave it for. An estate sale

It was an effort,for sure... photographing it,contacting people,it did not happen O/N.

You really have to get the right dealer,that really knows how to work the market for a given piece/s. Many dealers would hardly give you the time of day either,so you have to be a bit hard.I did think I was a bit lucky with the lot that I had to deal with.But in the end,all went very well.It was more time than anything.Was not overly hard.

Now,I have been asked to sell all the jewellery are real MIA ,I just told them to go take the lot to cash convertors.

[xelasnave]

Actually given some of my life was professional selling I can see there would be dealers etc..net my point is I should be able to sell it.
I notice the artist has following with a lot of collections listed..
Selling direct to them maybe.

[xelasnave]

I just realised I could open a shop I have so much to sell...
Thinking further my late mother would have known the buyers for that painting and what they would pay..she was a collector and re sold stuff to shops..she could buy stuff in the morning and have it sold in the afternoon at a very good profit...she kept real good stuff which I have to capitalize.

[csb (Craig)]

Alex, just for curiosity, would you mind posting a pic of the painting and/or title.

[xelasnave]

Craig I don't mind but it is now 800 klms away.
When I get back I will post one...but I may be away for a couple of weeks.