Real-Life Communication
Art appraisers analyze art, research the artist and document their
findings. Sleuthing is what this job is about, says Kimball Sterling, who
admittedly enjoys the hunt of finding a painting's background.
Gerri
Samples, an art appraiser in Michigan, says the work of appraisers is primarily
written. Once the research is done, you need to record what you've found.
"You do specialized forms of letters and reports that probably will become
legal documents and that you may be called upon to defend in a court of law."
Because
there is so much writing, Kathryn Minard strongly advises high school students
to hone their writing and research skills. "You need an ability to write in
a logical, concise and comprehensible fashion," says Minard.
As an
art appraiser, you have just been commissioned by Mr. M.J. Hutton to research
the details of a painting that he purchased last month for $750,000. Upon
studying the painting and researching past auction files, you realize that
Mr. Hutton has paid a rock-bottom price for what you believe is an original
Claude Monet oil on canvas.
The only defect is a spot of discoloration,
possibly a bit of water damage, in the upper left-hand corner of the canvas.
Using your black light, an art appraisal instrument that helps determine whether
a painting is a fake, you verify that the signature is real, and the canvas
is original -- the painting has not been manipulated in any way.
From
continued research, you discover Claude Monet lived from 1840 to 1926. This
particular oil, called Houses of Parliament, London, was completed in the
latter part of his career. You date it circa 1905.
Fill out an appraisal
form of what your research has uncovered. The form must include the name of
the picture, the medium, a date, the style, any damage, restoration work and
the fair market value range.