Look into the large oil painting, dark in its ornate gilded frame. You
will see a large steamer against a blue sky patched with clouds. A sapphire
blue sea is jostling the ship. The ship's dark brown hull is low to the water.
Its sails are full with gusts of wind. In the midsection of the ship, you
can see a stack belching smoke from the steam engine.
This old oil-on-canvas painting is called Ship Portrait of a Belgian Steamer
Plantyn Heading for New York, 1884. It was painted by a Danish-American artist
named Antonio Jacobsen. Paintings such as this are much in demand.
Janette Langmann is an art dealer. "We deal in paintings from the 18th,
19th and 20th century. These works are from the early 20th century". she says.
Ship portraiture is just one of the many types of artwork in the world.
"People seem interested in it right now," says Langmann. Fortunately, Jacobsen
was a prolific artist. He produced around 4,000 paintings of various ships.
"It's completely enjoyable to sell something that makes a real connection
with the client," says Langmann. "It's not at all like selling cars or something
like that. You have to be passionate about the work."
Art dealer Wendy Wong specializes in other types of art. "You get to see
all kinds of art, and can pick and choose what you want to put into your gallery,"
she says.
"If you want, you can only show contemporary art," says Wong. In fact,
much of her gallery is devoted to works that were created after 1970.
Having both historical and contemporary work in one gallery calls for comparisons.
"You can really learn, and see historical influences in the modern art," says
Wong.
How does the artwork get to the gallery? Art dealers visit with artists.
They also visit sales and auction houses to collect their pieces. "I get a
humongous thrill out of finding and buying a piece that is just beautiful,"
says Allan Frumkin, an art dealer in New York.
He says selling the art is less enjoyable. "I've never really got a thrill
from selling anything," he says. But that doesn't mean it's difficult for
Frumkin to part with his beautiful pieces.
"We aren't tuned into just one thing," explains Frumkin. "We don't want
to be married to a single piece of art for a long time."
Frumkin says that artists may enjoy dealing in art. "If you are trained
as an artist, you will be near the things that you love. Even the tasks that
can seem somewhat onerous will be enjoyable," he says.
Art dealers must have business sense, but Frumkin says a love of art comes
first. "You must have an intensive love of the visual arts," he says. "With
that, this can be one of the more attractive pursuits."
But art dealers have to work with more than the actual paintings and sculptures.
They talk with clients, explain pieces of art, negotiate sales, and deal with
the artists directly. "It can be really difficult encouraging an artist to
produce more work," says Wong.
If an artist's work is in high demand, they need to keep producing. But
sometimes the creative process doesn't work that way. "It can be a bit of
a problem," says Wong. "You put your faith in an artist and they come up with
nothing. Your hands are tied."
Art can be expensive. "We have pricey payment plans, and sometimes we have
to go chasing after a client to pay," she adds. "If, halfway through the payment,
they decide they don't want the piece, we have to shell out to pay for the
rest."
But aside from some difficulties, Wong enjoys the work. "It is wonderful
to be surrounded by art."
Langmann agrees. "It's a labor of love, but it's worth it if you have a
passion for art."