In late 2017, Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Salvator Mundi’ made auction history. The rediscovered painting sold for the historic sum of €382 million and propelled Old Master works back into the interest of collectors everywhere. So why are these artworks so important? And how can you build your own Old Masters collection? Aude Fonlupt, one of our in-house art experts, is here to share her knowledge. She has two master’s degrees in Art History and the Art Market at the Sorbonne and more than five years of experience as an auctioneer. Read on for some insider knowledge and expert tips for collecting Old Master works of art.
What are Old Masters?
The term ‘Old Masters’ refers to drawings and paintings by distinguished European artists from the 16th to the 18th century. Although there is no specific art style or movement associated with Old Masters, Renaissance, Gothic Art, the Dutch ‘Golden Age’, Romanticism, Rococo and Neoclassicism are all included in this designation. Notable figures include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Albrecht Dürer to Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Jacques-Louis David.
The term ‘Old Masters’ refers to drawings and paintings by distinguished European artists from the 16th to the 18th century
Why are Old Master Artworks Worth Collecting?
‘Old Masters is a market with great potential,’ Aude explains. ‘It has been a little ignored these last few years, but now after the “Salvator Mundi” record, anything can happen. It is very promising for this market.’ What’s interesting is that it’s possible to find very exquisite and exciting Old Master works of art for many budgets. Take, for instance, a painting of Marie Mancini as Cleopatra which sold at Catawiki’s Classical Art auction earlier this year. The subject is well known in French history and is a typical depiction of the 18th century. The painting sold for €3,200. This is comparable to a late 18th century drawing by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin which sold for €375 on Catawiki. Both artworks have very different price points but are both fantastic collector pieces.
A late 18th century drawing by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin sold for €375 on our Classical Art auction in 2018
Choosing Your Artwork
There are many options to consider when selecting the type of Old Master collection you’d like to start building. Should you collect the work of one particular artist, for example? Or perhaps you’d like to choose a specific country of origin and buy artworks from there? To help answer these questions, think about what you are interested in and what you like to look at. For example, landscapes tend to be very popular in Dutch Old Masters. With Italian drawings, depictions of the figure are usually favourable. And the influence of the church and mythology had a large impact on French and Italian Old Master artistry. Dive into the history behind the artists and the artworks to see what you can discover and what you are drawn to. Look for motifs and pick a collection theme which excites you.
When choosing what type of artwork to collect, find a theme which excites you
Things to Look Out For
When collecting Old Master artworks, Aude advises that it’s very important to consider the condition of the art. Assess whether it has been well-preserved or whether it hasn’t been looked after very well. Also ask if the painting has undergone any restorations. If so, where on the painting? Are the restorations of good quality? It’s also key to consider the artwork’s provenance. This means finding out where a painting came from and learning who owned the painting from its creation until now. This will help with your knowledge and understanding of a painting’s background. If in doubt, ask an expert! All works sold on or weekly Classical Art auctions have been hand-selected by Aude and her team and they’re always happy to help out.
Starting Your Own Collection
Take a look at our weekly Classic Art auctions to see which works Aude and her team have brought to you this week. Did you know that we sometimes also offer a special Old Masters themed auction? This is a great place to find Old Masters works for every interest and budget. An important part of collecting is also selling works. Whether they don't fit your collection anymore or if you want to cash in on an investment, everyone is welcome to offer up high-quality art for auction on Catawiki. Why not give it a try?
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