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.