A Guide to Le Pho Artwork

A man of many talents, Le Pho was a Vietnamese artist who traveled the world painting, teaching, and performing his one-man show. As a young student who received formal training at Ecole des Beaux-Arts of Hanoi for four years before transferring to the corresponding school in Paris where he remained for another two years.

He spent several years working as a teacher at Ecole des Beaux-Arts of Hanoi, but then gave it up to return to Paris. It was shortly after returning to Europe that Pho really started to enter the public eye and became a star in the artistic community. Here is a brief overview of the importance of Pho’s work and why it has made such a lasting impact on the art world that even decades after his death his art is still in high demand at auction houses in Fort Lauderdale and other parts of the world.

Establishing Himself 

Pho didn’t really begin to make significant waves in the world of art until he returned to Paris as a delegate for the International Exposition in 1937. The next year he hosted his first one-man show and was soon performing it all over the world after word spread about his talent. It wasn’t long before Pho began forming close relationships with some massively popular art galleries, and his work has since been featured in multiple exhibitions all around the world.

Signature Styles 

Pho covered a variety of topics throughout his career, but his catalog of works can often be split into three separate groups. The first of these groups was developed while he was living in Vietnam. These artworks feature images of Vietnamese countrysides and often included womanly figures in the scenes.

The second style, prominently known as the Romanet period, featured much darker imagery of war and civil unrest. This gave his works a lot more narrative to them and employed a shift is his preferred color palette.

The third style saw a return to his artistic roots and was close to the artworks produced in the first part of his career. They featured warmer images and returned to something similar to his standard color palette. Works from this period also employed the use of oils on canvases, which was something that Pho had left largely unexplored up until that point in his career.

The majority of his images used a lot of warm colors and had an unusual texture to them due to his early preference for painting on silk. This allowed him to craft a very delicate painting process which was extremely hard to replicate for other artists who had done the majority of their work on standard canvases. The common themes found in most of his work are the presence of Vietnamese women, flowers, and landscapes.

What to Know About Auction Appraisals

Finding out what your art piece is worth and how much it is valued for on the market is one of the most important and critical steps in successfully selling art and growing your own high-end art collection. As you spend more and more time in the industry, you will become familiar with the process and what it means to have auction appraisals in Palm Beach in advance of your sale. If you are just getting started though, here’s what you need to know:

Choose Carefully

Remember that the person who is evaluating the art and indicating the appropriate price for you is offering you what may end up being the amount you sell your art piece for. This can have incredible repercussions, and therefore, if your art is valued at the wrong price – especially if it is valued too low – you will be left dealing with that for some time to come. This is why it is incredibly important, in the appraising process, to make sure you are selecting the appropriate person:

  • Make sure they have the credentials to back up the work they are doing.
  • Look for someone who has experience in the industry and has done a lot of evaluating.
  • If possible, find a niche professional, who specializes in art from the era or of the type that you are looking to have evaluated.
  • Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion, or disregard evaluations if you think they are unreasonable.

Go in Educated

While it is, of course, the job of the evaluator to research your piece, or know about it already, and use this in helping them make their decision and offer you a price range, as the owner, you also need to educate yourself. Do some research on the art piece and artist, look into its history and lineage, and understand the meaning and origin behind the art. Speak to an art historian or visit a museum or gallery that has staff with knowledge on your piece, and find out everything you can. Doing this means you will have an educated guess as to how much it is worth, and when the evaluator makes it far lower, you can decline the suggestion.

Decide on Selling

While knowing what your piece is worth is important, it’s only the first step. Indeed, next is find an interested buyer or decide how you are going to sell it. Many people take the appraised price and head to an auction with it. Others first take it to a gallery, especially if it could fit into an existing or upcoming exhibit or show.

Remember that art deserves a lot of respect and to be treated with care. When you find the right person to prepare your art for you, you’ll know exactly what it takes to look after art well, and how great it feels to make a well-deserved sale.

6 Things You Didn’t Know About Andy Warhol

If you go to an auction house in Palm Beach, taking in a high-end art sale and watching wealthy people and art companies bid on expensive pieces of art, you likely wouldn’t be surprised to see a piece by Andy Warhol. And while you may be surprised to see him come up at a sale, you may be a little bit more surprised by these seven facts. Then again, given the personality his art exudes, you may also be completely unsurprised by all of these interesting facts.

1)   The popularly seen Campbell’s Soup painting was not just a painting of any regular cans of soup: Warhol ate the soup every day for twenty years, being inspired by the simplicity and repetition of the labels and the soup and then, in turn, decided to create the piece of art in response. He also created a similar series using Coca-Cola and was seeking to characterize normal everyday items that many people would not typically see as art.

2)   While a video is incredibly popular and normalized today, in Warhol’s time, this was not the case. Never a follower or afraid of breaking mainstream, however, Warhol was one of the first artists to explore the film medium, creating over 650 films in his time. Some were as simple as him eating, while others were more complex offerings.

3)   If you thought his hair was real, and his glasses were necessary, you, like many others, were fooled just as he had hoped! Warhol, in fact, was bald and had a lazy eye. To compensate, he wore a wig and chose opaque glasses with a small pinhole to see through.

4)   Warhol’s artistic desires were not limited to visual, through paintings and film. He also had an extensive smell collection! He used this partly for personal use, changing his perfume every three months, but it was also for creative expression purposes: he would use smells to document memories and then have them on hand to trigger the memories and emotions whenever he needed them.

5)   Warhol was shot and almost killed by radical feminist Valerie Solanas. After this incident, he started using himself as a living symbol of death, including creating self-portraits with skulls and photographs by others of his scarred body.

6)   Warhol was worth a lot of money: his estate sale netted nearly $25 million, his piece 200 One Dollar Bills sold for over $43 million and his Marilyn Monroe paintings are some of the most coveted pieces of art, even to this day.

Whether you’re a Warhol fan, looking to learn more or are thinking of purchasing one of his pieces, these simple facts will allow you to be a more educated consumer and have a little laugh in the meantime.

Understanding Selling Art

When it comes to selling sought-after art pieces by talented artists like Andy Warhol or Leo, there is a bit more involved than simply creating an online ad. And while you could indeed advertise on Facebook Marketplace, and no doubt have some interested buyers, the art is far more valuable than this and deserves to be treated with that degree of respect in the selling process. Here is what you should do instead.

Arrange for Valuation

A valuation is when you have a professional evaluator come and look at your art, and let you know how much it is worth and how much you would expect to receive in a sale. This is typically what individuals do in advance of an auction, and auction appraisals in Fort Lauderdale are a reliable way to learn how much you can expect your art to sell for when it gets bids and is on the market.

Make Plans for Selling

While an auction is one of the most common methods of sale after an individual has the work valued, there are also other options. Some people choose to pursue a private sale, where they have an interested buyer and they tell the buyer the cost of the piece based on the evaluation. Other people choose to sell the art to a museum or gallery, especially if it is by a particularly famous artist, is an original edition or is part of an exhibit that the gallery is going to be offering.

Attend Sale

Whether or not you choose to sell your art an auction, it is advantageous to attend some of these selling events. Attending one gives you an idea on how they work, including how the art is offered to interested buyers to look at and decide their bid; how the selling process itself works from when the bids start to when the final bidder is awarded the piece, and finally, to get an idea of the atmosphere and excitement that surrounds an art selling event and how great it is to be a part.

Reach Out

Finally, remember that you may have to do a bit of sales work on your end when it comes to selling your piece. This is where attending events can be beneficial: you can tell people at the event about the piece you are selling, but you can also network with them and create relationships, such that you have people to reach out to later should you have additional sales you are looking to pursue. Knowing the right people in the business can make all of the difference!

The next time you are ready to sell your art, reach out to a professional for a valuation to start and then use this information to help you out.

3 Tips for Placing the Winning Bid

If you are visiting your first auction house in Fort Lauderdale, you are no doubt intimidated by the process, the fellow attendees and by seeing impressive art by the likes of Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, and Alexander Calder. But with big things at stake and a lot on the line, going in as a novice, and appearing as if you don’t know what you are doing won’t work out well in getting you the coveted Warhol piece you are after. Follow these tips for helping you get the winning bid.

1)   Do Your Research

Before you show up, make sure you know what the art is that is being sold. Research the pieces, the artist, the gallery selling item, and the history as related to all of these areas. Not only will this boost your confidence, but it will also give you an advantage over other attendees who have not done the same amount of research. For example, you may know more about the true value of the art piece and be able to avoid paying exorbitant prices, when someone else is there budding and thinking they are getting a good deal.

2)   Enquire about Editions

Part of your research component should be to understand the editions of the art. Art is sometimes released in several editions, and each one has a different associated price point. The first edition, or original edition, for example, has a much higher price point than later releases. Finding out ahead of time what editions the sale will offer, the price of the sale of editions previous, and when the edition closed will prevent you from paying more than the edition is worth.

3)   Be Absent

Well not in mind of course, but in presence. If you have attended previous bidding sales, you may have noticed that a lot of them seem to happen via people who aren’t there, and often, the winning bid doesn’t even have the actual winner there to take the prize. The bidding wars can get stressful and intense, and this can cause serious bidders to get off their game, be distracted or succumb to at the moment impulsive decisions which they otherwise would not have made. This is why many people will opt instead to bid on the phone and be absent from the event itself, sending someone on their behalf and simply relaying the phone conversation as relevant. If you tend to get overwhelmed easily or are prone to caving in stressful situations, this could be a good option.

Being at an auction is exciting and fun. And it is even better when you can walk away from it with a new piece of art that you have been dreaming of having in your house for many years. Do your research, plan ahead, and with some patience and reserve, you can have just that!

Improving Your Art Experience

If you are new to the art scene and having art in your home or in finding art to purchase, you are likely not familiar with the experience and nuances of what it entails. Perhaps you are not really sure what to expect, and more than that, don’t really know what you are doing or what you should look for. Because art can be a great contributing component to an improved life and research shows it can help improve your happiness and state of mind, here are some things to help you have an optimized experience.

Finding the Right Piece

When you find a place where curators or artists are selling at auction in Fort Lauderdale, you may jump on board and assume that is the answer for you and that you should definitely go find your art here. While it might be true, one of the most important things about making the most of your art experience is finding the right piece for you. Before you purchase a piece, give some thought to where you will place the art and what you are hoping it to offer and achieve. For example, do you want it to be a focal piece in a room or are you just looking for it to be integrated into the decorative scheme you already have? Does certain art resonate with you more than others, such as portraiture, versus abstract? Give some thought to these ideas and put some time and research into the art that would be best for you.

Choosing Where to Buy It

An auction is a great place to buy art when you are looking for a particular piece that is likely only to be sold through this method or that is based around a certain theme, like the event may be catering towards. But you can also buy art privately, through individuals who own the art or curate private sales and you can find it at a gallery. Each place of sale offers its own benefits and reasons for purchase, and it is important to understand the specificities of each before you assume one over the other would be more suitable.

Knowing the Artist

Finally, don’t forget to look into the artist. The artistic field brings with it a high degree of personalization when it comes to how the artist does their work and what they offer. Often times it is more about their story behind the art and how they portray it, and this is the part that will resonate with buyers as much as the art itself. Understanding this and researching the history and background of the artist is an important step in your art experience.

There are many ways to integrate art into your life and to make sure that you walk away with the art that suits you best. Do some research and then speak to a professional and you are sure to have an incredible piece of art to call your own.

 

The Need to Know on Buying Jewelry at High-End Sales

Those who show up selling at auction in Fort Lauderdale, whether it is jewelry, art or antiques, already likely know a fair amount about the piece they are offering, the process involved, that the fine details about payment, commission, and any other fees. For others, however, who may be new to the process or who are not sure what to expect, it pays to have a little bit of insight going in. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Know the Piece

Whether it is the artist, the piece itself, the edition, or the history, there are many factors that come into play in determining the specifics of a piece of jewelry that is for sale. These factors influence the location where the item is likely to be sold, the price point, what you can expect the quality to be, uniqueness and much more. Before you go to the sale, be sure to do your research: look into what will be there for sale, what the costs are and any other pertinent information, including edition or historical significance.

Take Advantage

Purchasing jewelry at a specialized sale offers many advantages. The pieces there are often unique, and one of a kind. There are professionals in the field running the event or present at the event, and as such, you can ask them questions or enquire further about the jewelry that is for sale. It is a great opportunity to snag a bargain price for items, and you have the ability to purchase incredibly high-quality items that are hard to find elsewhere.

Familiarize the Process

While doing research is important, the other thing to do ahead of time is to familiarize yourself with the process of how the event works. Learn about the process of registering if necessary, or if you can simply show up. Learn about how it works to place a bid, and then to continue bidding, as well as how the final procedure works if you are the successful bidder. From there, you should know what the additional fees are on top of the cost of the item you are purchasing as well as specifications for payment method and period. While it is fine to show up as a newcomer on the scene and learn from others, you want to avoid putting yourself into any costly situation that ends up having a negative impact on your experience.

Before you attend your first sale or purchase jewelry or art at an auction, attend one or two as an observer to get the hang out of it. From there, do your research, know what pieces and items you would like to buy and enjoy your time!

The Phases of High-End Sales

Did you know, that when you are preparing for auction selling in Fort Lauderdale, there are a series of distinct steps which you need to take to prepare? Successfully preparing for the event, as well as successfully preparing the art is only part of the process of what is involved. It is important you understand these phases and complete each one prior to arriving at the auction or prior to participating in the sale.

Arrange a Valuation

When you decide you would like to sell your item, you need to find out how much it is worth in order to be able to know how much to expect at an event, or how much to ask for when you put it on the market. This is determined using a valuation. Valuations are performed by certified evaluators who have education and knowledge surrounding the history and value of art, the depreciation considerations, current market trends and values and much more.

Choose a Sale Option

After the valuation, the evaluator will be able to offer you the best advice on where you should plan to sell your piece. In some cases, auctions aren’t the best option, and it is advisable to try to take the piece on the market privately, to offer it to a particular museum or gallery, or to wait for a special event which is catered more towards the style of piece you have and will fetch you a better price. Whatever the case, listen to the experts and make your decision carefully.

Sign Documents

Whatever the option is that you choose in terms of putting your piece on the market, you will be required to sign some documents to support this decision and to indicate you are willing to conform to the conditions of sale. These terms and conditions change for each marketplace, but legally binding documents are always advised for the benefits of both parties.

Finalize Sales

In many cases, for a lot of people, the piece is not sold by the current owner directly but instead is left in the hands of an agent to handle all the affairs with marketing the piece and getting appropriate funds in return. Once the agent has sold the piece, sales are finalized and you can expect to receive a call or email detailing specifics about commission payment and then transferring the sale money. Typically before this stage, owners have arranged the details of this process with their agent or representative, and have given the green light to proceed on the market with the art piece.

While the process may seem daunting for a first-timer, with the right support and a bit of practice you will soon find yourself happily immersed in the life of collecting art and attending regular events for it to go on sale and for you to acquire more!

The Need to Know on Jewelry Artists

If you plan to spend time at jewelry auctions in Dania Beach, pretty soon you will see some common names and artists keep popping up: Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Van Cleef, Bvlgari and Piaget to name a few. And while you may be just happy with knowing their names and a few of their pieces, having a little bit more info and some extra fun facts can only help when it comes to making your purchase.

Tiffany & Co.

Established in 1837 by Charles Tiffany, the company originally sold stationery and fancy goods. The blue color synonymous with the brand came from the empress who was the wife of Napoleon the third. The color became officially known as pantone and remains so named and synonymous with the brand to this day. In addition, the company was the first one to offer a mail order catalog, originally just taking on stationery orders before Charles invented the engagement ring and the jewelry enterprise took off.

Cartier

Started by another influential male, Alfred Cartier, he was the first one to use platinum in jewelry making. At the time it was an extremely expensive material and not one that a lot of people were willing to experiment with due to its cost. It was reserved for the rich until Cartier became instrumental in making it more accessible. In addition to starting platinum, Alfred Cartier was also the one to make the wristwatch popular for men, and the Cartier brand is synonymous with the Love Bracelet. To this day they continue to be a coveted piece of jewelry which are bought world over. While Cartier remained present in the business, he sold the New York store, and it was purchased not with money, but with a pearl necklace.

Van Cleef

A French jewelry, watch and perfume company, Van Cleef & Arpels started in Paris, and today has become one of the most well-known brands worldwide. They created the “pink shirt of watches,” according to Forbes, which was a thin watch that men could easily pull in and out of their shirt. Today, the company is still famous for high-end watches that they make for both men and women, and are indeed sought out for that reason. They are also regularly sought after for their sale of the minaudiere, a gold, silver or platinum vanity case designed to hold jewelry and personal items for a woman.

Whether you are familiar with these brands, these items or the history of these companies, you no doubt have seen the amazing quality items they create and how much they are coveted all over the world. Now when you see them next time or hear excited bidders seeking to win a Van Cleef watch, you’ll know just exactly why!

3 Reasons to Buy Art from an Auction

When it comes to buying art for your home, your office or your newly constructed house, you can easily head to the local art store or home decorating store and buy a piece to have in your home. If you want to take your decorating to the next level, however, there are reasons to source your art from elsewhere.

1)   You Want Unique Pieces

Many times artists reserve their best pieces for special sales and special events. Unique pieces that are designed with special motives or creative inspiration or those that have a particular meaning and theme behind them are often not seen by the public or sold in a public place. How great would it be to have someone walk in your house in awe of the art you have because of how unique and individualized it is? Not only that but for you to be able to tell the story of where it is from and how you got it

2)   You Understand the Value

For some people who are looking for art to put in their house, they don’t have any priority behind the value of the art from the perspective of the artist, and instead are just looking for a piece fo fill a spot. In other words, they are getting art for art’s sake, and not for any meaningful value or purpose. For people who put emphasis behind what the art means, however, there is more to it than simply finding the piece that is on sale or going to the local art store and getting the piece that is the right size for the space. If this sounds more like the way you treat art and what you are after, it may not be the right fit for you to simply go to an art store for your piece.

3)   You Treat it as an Experience

For many people, purchasing art is not simply about the art itself: it is about the experience involved in getting it. Heading to a live auction in Dania Beach, taking in the atmosphere, being surrounded by like-minded individuals and then getting involved in bidding and fighting for the piece you want is what makes you love art. Choosing a piece, doing the research and then going through an authentic means of purchasing to get it creates an experience and story surrounding the piece and in many ways, that is what art is all about.

Whatever your reason, you can be sure you will find quality pieces from another option such as an auction. When you find one that is likely to have the kind of art you like and you are able to go and experience the whole process, the outcome will have that much more meaning for you.