WE ARE PASSIONATE COLLECTORS, NOT JUST SELLERS

Drawings are often thought of as an artist’s first rendering, an intimate expression of mind by turns experimental, explorative and wistful, reflecting a preparative study but just as often resulting in a finished work of art. Most often a work on paper is the fulfillment of a vision; a more complete expression even than a painting.  Drawings offer an intimate insight into their makers thoughts. Not only do they record an artist’s impressions more directly, but often times they remain a repository of an artist’s work, such as Giambattista Tiepolo’s productive career afforded posterity. Surviving examples in yet unsophisticated form, un-conserved perhaps requiring cleaning, may survive in a more original state than paintings, which are often disfigured by preservation efforts through centuries of restoration.

Historically, drawings were functional tools in an artist’s studio, providing a path to the finished rendition. Not merely a creative stage towards final pictorial compositions, a drawing serves as the jumping off point, documenting the creative moment. The drawn oeuvre of an artist constituted a valuable resource of visual motifs and studies, passing from master to pupil. Unlike paintings, drawings were intended for small audiences, like medieval prayer books, for careful contemplation and study.

COLLECTING DRAWINGS

Because of this vibrant intimacy, drawings have historically been especially favored by artist-collectors, such as Giorgio Vasari, Rembrandt, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Cornelius Ploos van Amstel and historians of art, like Julius Held. Many collectors applied their individual stamped marks on their drawings, and it is fascinating to trace the provenance of drawings through successive collections sometimes using a scribbled attribution as a “clue”, or guide, to more serious scholarship, eventually unravelling the secret of its authorship.

Previous generations of collectors kept their drawings in dedicated albums, to peruse at leisure whether alone or with like-minded admirers, the artwork keep between blank sheets in flat files or a portfolio (which has kept many of them in such pristine state). The development of uv-protective glass and acid-free mounting paper has made it possible to frame and hang drawings and enjoy them on a daily basis.

Old Master drawings have over the centuries proved to be secure investments, and have even kept their value during the recent years of financial turmoil. Though still very affordable, much more so than paintings, it is possible to buy excellent sheets by good artists at reasonable prices.

We believe that the art-dealing world is evolving rapidly with many new entrants employing the latest virtual gallery to reach the broadest market ever available. The emergence of the internet has created a rapid democratization of art collectors, who with a click of the mouse can access knowledge and resources which traditional dealers took a lifetime to compile. We applaud the new technology affording greater access via new media, and believe there’s a place for a dedicated website for lovers of drawings by the Old Masters, offered at fair prices, unconditionally authentic and genuine. We are able to offer interesting drawings at good prices because we use the new media to their fullest extent, and offer old master drawings for sale from a multitude of sources, from old private collections and provincial sales to eBay, all selected for quality and an excellent price/quality ratio.

We present our drawings with full descriptions, scholarly attributions where appropriate and clear high-res photographs. More images will be sent by email on request.