Page 1 of 1
Extremely rare/valuable pencil sketch from 1896… needs resto
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:41 pm
by Leonardo
I got a sketch from a very famous Venezuelan artist (Arturo Michelena) whose most important work is a painting called: “Miranda en la carraca”
This piece is located in the National Art Gallery of Caracas Venezuela….
Well, I have the original sketch that this artist made to construct his masterpiece. This hand sketch has been in my family for more than 100 years and as you can see it’s not in the greatest shape.
Worse yet, it has become glued (on the corners) to the gray paper behind .
My intentions are to be able to display it in my living room….
Does anyone know of somebody that does this kind of work?
What should I expect from a restoration?
Thanks!
leo
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:37 pm
by mverta
Just as a start, I'd check with SR Labs in - I think - Calabassas, California. They've done quite a bit of restoration/preservation work on important pieces, and did a museum-quality preservation for me of one of my pieces of art.
_Mike
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:41 pm
by Leonardo
were they outrageously expensive?
http://www.srlabs.com/
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:06 pm
by mverta
"Outrageous?" is entirely relative. The artwork I had preserved was one-of-a-kind, and in danger of being lost forever. So... it wasn't cheap, but the art is priceless.
_Mike
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:58 pm
by Leonardo
Perhaps I could find a museum that has a good collection of latin American art, and will consider restore the piece in exchange of some exhibition time in their museum.
the piece is priceless "to me"... I have no clue how much vaule it will have to other people (if any

)
(BUT)
Take a look what WIKI says about the artist:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Michelena
They talk about a painting that sold for $1.3 mil on 2004, and they don't even show a picture of that painting.... yet, they do show my painting ... that's scary

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:11 pm
by jjs
Leonardo - get professional advice quick - and insurance advice.
It will be worth more than you imagine, and many museums are open to all sorts of loans/ownership agreements.
For a quick estimate you could contact
www.sothebys.co.uk or
www.christies.com for a quick valuation - they were helpful to me in just appraising a a rough value for few works of art of mine that I emailed to them - a digital picture and the artists name and a little on the provinance ( how I cam e to own it ) - the best bit no fee . Of course they hope you will then see the $$$$$$$ and put it up for auction, but at least its a start.
Don't just leave it as as it is.
Jonathan
Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:56 pm
by Leonardo
Thank you Jonathan, I'll contact them!

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:23 pm
by JCAddy
I saw this on CGTalk, didn't know it was you Leo! Very cool!
Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:02 pm
by martgreg
sell it ..
then you can octo's for everyone

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:20 am
by Leonardo
jjs wrote:Leonardo - get professional advice quick - and insurance advice.
It will be worth more than you imagine, and many museums are open to all sorts of loans/ownership agreements.
For a quick estimate you could contact
www.sothebys.co.uk or
www.christies.com for a quick valuation - they were helpful to me in just appraising a a rough value for few works of art of mine that I emailed to them - a digital picture and the artists name and a little on the provinance ( how I cam e to own it ) - the best bit no fee . Of course they hope you will then see the $$$$$$$ and put it up for auction, but at least its a start.
Don't just leave it as as it is.
Jonathan
ear Mr. Schubert:
Thank you for contacting Christie's regarding the possible sale of your property. Our specialists have carefully reviewed the information you kindly sent to us and have requested that I share with you their response. Unfortunately, based on the information provided, your property does not appear to fall into a property category or value level that Christie's currently handles for sale. For that reason, our specialists are not able to suggest an estimate or provide other information.
We recognize that this may be disappointing news, and although we cannot be of assistance at this time, we hope that we may be of service to you in the future.
A$$holes!

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:39 am
by ivox3