The professionals… and the others

One of the advantages to buying in galleries is the guarantees the good dealer is able to offer you: guarantee as to the authenticity, provenance, fair price, correct assessment of the conditions of the artwork, money back guarantee if, for some reason, the piece proves "problematic" ('wrong'), etc.

That being said,  it is necessary that the gallery is still in business when and if the "problem" occur and that he or she will honor its guarantees. Hence the importance of dealing with a reputable art dealer.

Here for the official discourse that unfortunately lacks any practical utility.

Indeed, nobody promotes itself as a gallery "to the dubious reputation".

Hence the importance of dealing with recognized galleries, thus possessing a certain historical baggage.

The consulted authors identify some factors to validate if you have any doubt as to the potential ethics of the gallerist.

• Reputation among other galleries

Obviously, nobody will entrust you that such person is a crook! Even less through email. On the other hand, nothing prevents the demonstration of a certain reserve for whom we want to.

• Complaints registered against the gallery or its owner

Check with qualified professional organizations such as "Better Business Bureau" or public/private consumer protection associations.

• Membership of a recognized professional association.

In recent years, art galleries storefront chose to group together in various combinations by regions or themes to promote the profession and encourage common practices in conformity with certain ethical rules. Noted that belonging or not to a professional association is a voluntary act and it should certainly not 'de facto' be deducted that the non-belonging of a gallery to any association is the expression of a lack of serious or probity... And the opposite is also true!

We would like to point out here the names of some of these groups and the number of approximate members, at the time of the last update of this table.

Remember:

• The competent gallerist is an expert on the artists and the works he proposes. By definition, he is not impressionable.

• The competent gallerist is your mentor. Cultivate your relationship with him. This can only be beneficial to both parties.

• Writings remain. Always document your work and your transaction. Please refer to our link on the documents you need to get from your gallery when you acquire an artwork.

• Several authors have written about the relationship between gallerist and collector. To be consulted, among others, the works of Bryce, Hunter, Davis and the ADAC Collector's Guide (see our "Additional readings").

• Look on this purpose the text of Hunter on the characteristics of "good dealer".