Buying Made Simple

As part of our ongoing series outlining the services we offer, this month we focus on Buying. Passionate about art, Ward Moretti handles exceptional artworks and delivers an experienced and knowledgeable approach with integrity.

Acquiring art should be both considered and exciting. Whether buying a single artwork, building a collection from the ground up, or refining an established one, careful judgement is essential to ensuring that each acquisition is meaningful and well-placed.

Robert Rauschenberg, Brulée, 1991, tarnish and silkscreen ink on copper, 264.4 x 184.8 cm.

The more information you provide about your specific interests, the better placed we are to help. Knowing the direction of a client’s collecting is key since collections always evolve. We have successfully completed many acquisitions for private clients, advisors and museums when we have been given prior insight as to what they were looking for. Our measured and responsive approach allows us to help build tailored collections thoughtfully over time, so that each purchase is significant and well-chosen.

Whether your request is highly specific or more general in nature, we encourage you to get in touch so that we can begin guiding you through options and identifying suitable opportunities.

Discretion is of the utmost importance to us. We work confidentially on behalf of our clients, protecting their anonymity throughout the purchasing process, managing all negotiations with sensitivity.

Ward Moretti acts as both private dealers and independent advisors supporting our clients across all areas of the market. We operate a transparent fee structure, acting either as a private dealer or as an independent advisor. Allowing clients to choose the structure that best suits them, provides clarity and alignment throughout the transaction process. Unlike the auction model, where fees are applied on both sides and can significantly widen the gap between buyer and seller, our approach is clear and streamlined.

We encourage personal, long-term relationships formed over time. Whether sourcing works directly, through third parties, or representing clients at auction, we are here to help!

Access can be a defining factor in purchasing exceptional works, with many of the most significant opportunities arising privately and never reaching the open market. Through our established international network, we are able to source artworks discreetly, often directly from private collections. The private approach enables collectors to acquire important works without the exposure and competition of a public auction, where the creation of a public price will always be referred back to. Working privately allows for a more efficient structure, with a single, clearly defined commission and closer alignment between both parties.

Whether responding to a specific request or building towards a longer-term collecting objective, we work patiently and strategically to identify opportunities that align with the overall direction of a collection.

The art market presents many opportunities, but also inherent risks. Establishing authenticity, clear title, assessing condition, and understanding pricing as well as making sure all logistics have been correctly adhered to are essential elements of any acquisition.

We place great emphasis on rigorous provenance research, working closely with scholars, authentication bodies, and specialist researchers to discover omitted provenance, providing clarity and reassurance that a work can be acquired with confidence and without future recourse.

By identifying potential concerns early and making sure all aspects of a transaction are properly understood, we help safeguard our clients’ interests.

Ward Moretti will oversee a purchase from initial enquiry through to final installation and safeguards the process carefully and cost-effectively. We coordinate closely with trusted fine art shippers, registrars, and insurance brokers to make certain that each stage is handled with care and efficiency. We address every detail from managing complex international logistics and customs requirements to advising on appropriate insurance cover and overseeing installation.

Where required, we also liaise with conservators and framers to guarantee that works are presented and preserved to the highest standard before installation. Our aim is to provide a seamless, end-to-end service, allowing clients to focus on the enjoyment of their acquisition, with the reassurance that all practical and technical aspects have been carefully managed on their behalf.

 

Please do not hesitate to CONTACT US if you would like to discuss any of the above, whether in relation to a specific artwork or a more general enquiry. 

We are always happy to offer initial guidance and look forward to hearing from you.