Online or live auction MUST do–request a condition report, if not cited in artwork’s listing.
Planned to bid on a painting at auction
Requested condition report
Received the following
“Good. There are two vertical repaired tears upper right with corresponding patches on the reverse.”
Condition grading is subjective, but . . . “good” more typically applies to an artwork with a more minor condition flaw, such as easily removable (by a trained conservator) soiling. Tears remedied by patches on verso may involve their removal followed by the canvas being lined (again, by a trained conservator).
An art appraiser would more likely have classified the painting’s condition as “fair“, not good.
The cost to remedy these tears increases the total cost of acquiring this painting.
Color me grateful to have requested a condition report!
Corinne Cain/ art appraiser/ Savvy Collector