Everything You Need To Know About Buying Vintage Art
Start With What You Love
For both experts, the most important rule is surprisingly simple: buy what you genuinely connect with. "If a painting stops you in your tracks, that's usually a better sign than whether you've heard of the artist. I always encourage people to trust their instinct first and ask questions second," says Annalise. Julia agrees: "The most important thing is to like it. If you are choosing paintings to live with, you must truly enjoy them. Don’t be too worried if they don’t fit perfectly with your colour scheme or upholstery – there is something more charming and authentic in the slightly mismatched.”
Look In The Right Places
While the internet has made sourcing easier than ever, both experts still favour more traditional hunting grounds. Auctions remain Annalise's preferred source because they offer breadth and value, while antiques fairs, flea markets and independent dealers can all yield exceptional finds.
Julia's search takes her across Europe. "I source paintings all over; sometimes in places you would least expect. My favourite is a little antiques place in France that I discovered driving south a few summers ago. My cardinal rule is to only buy paintings for the gallery that I would love to keep – which is the age-old dealer’s dilemma!"
Know How To Spot A Great Piece
Faced with hundreds of artworks at an antiques fair, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Annalise recommends being strategic. "Get there early and have a plan. Antiques fairs can be overwhelming, so I'd focus on art first, plus one or two other things you're hoping to find. Look out for dealers who specialise in art, as they're often where you'll find the strongest selection. You don't need to look at everything. Move quickly, be decisive and pay attention to what catches your eye.” For Julia, quality and subject matter are key indicators. "The subject and the quality of the painting are very important. The more vintage paintings you see, the more refined your eye for spotting a good one. Great use of colour, an unusual subject, or even a really lovely vintage frame can really elevate a painting.”
Understand What Makes A Painting Good
Technical perfection isn't necessarily what either expert is looking for. "Some of my favourite paintings are quite naive in style,” says Annalise. “What I'm looking for is colour, brushwork and personality. I’ll then assess the quality, size, artist and framing.”
Julia looks for originality above all else. "When a painting looks original, you can tell the artist has a strong sense of style and an inspired way of capturing their subject, whether it’s a still life, portrait or a floral. It shouldn’t look like it’s been copied from a chocolate box!”
Inspect The Condition
When buying vintage art for decorative purposes, some wear and tear should be expected. “Vintage pieces are expected to show some age,” says Annalise. “Scuffs, tears and frame wear are all part of the story. I'd rather buy a brilliant painting with imperfections than a mediocre painting in perfect condition. A really battered frame can be so charming, sometimes better than the painting itself. Buy good frames when you see them."
Julia also sees value in imperfections. "It’s completely up to you. There is often a captivating charm about a painting which shows its age, whether in the paintwork or through the condition of the frame. Where we can, we keep the original frames of paintings because usually they complement the painting so well.” However, there are certain issues that warrant closer inspection. As Annalise notes, "Frame damage, loose canvases and small surface marks can often be addressed relatively easily. Significant tears, woodworm, warping or severe water damage I would pay much closer attention to.”
Be Extra Vigilant Online
Shopping online requires a little more detective work. Annalise warns that misidentification can sometimes be a bigger issue than condition itself. "In most cases this isn't deliberate. Dealers and even auction houses may genuinely believe a piece is an oil painting when it is actually acrylic or an oleograph (print). If you're unsure about condition, ask for close-up photographs, images taken in natural daylight and a photograph of the back." Julia's advice is similarly straightforward: "Always look closely at the photographs. The condition of the painting might be left quite vague in the description, so it’s always important to stop and look at the photographs for any signs of damage.”
Never Underestimate The Frame
Both experts stress the importance of framing. “It’s incredibly important,” says Annalise. “I see wonderful paintings hidden inside unattractive frames every day. Many buyers struggle to look past a poor frame, but some of the best finds I've sourced simply needed reframing to reveal their full potential. Getting professional help with framing is a must. It’s always worth investing in.”
Julia tries to preserve original frames whenever possible. "We prefer to keep vintage frames where we can. It’s more environmentally friendly, they have often been chosen by the artist, and generally they suit the painting and reflect the country and the period.”
Assess The Value In The Right Way
When assessing whether a painting is fairly priced, research can help but emotion should still play a role. "If the artist is known, a quick search can be helpful to see whether similar works have sold before and at what level," says Annalise. "Ultimately, if a piece is within your budget and you can imagine living with it for years, that's often more important given how subjective it is."
Julia also takes a personal approach. "How long would the artist have spent painting this piece? How much have I paid for other decorative pieces in my house such as furniture, textiles or tiling? Is this the final piece to really bring a room together? How much do I love it?”
Know Which Styles Are Worth Watching
According to Annalise, French and Scandinavian art currently offer particularly strong value. "France has a huge volume of artwork that continues to circulate through markets, auctions and dealers, making good pieces relatively accessible. I also think Scandinavian art offers remarkable value."
Meanwhile, Julia believes buyers shouldn't overlook traditional decorative subjects. "Domestic works including portraits, florals, landscapes and still-life paintings are often overlooked. Decorative art doesn’t necessarily have to have great, metaphorical meaning or be painted by a famous artist; it captivates in a different way.”
Mix Vintage With Modern
One of the biggest misconceptions is that vintage art only suits traditional homes. "I love the 50:50 approach. Some of my favourite interiors combine contemporary furniture, lighting and architecture with vintage artwork and antiques. The contrast is what makes a space feel interesting," says Annalise. Julia agrees: "Just choose what you love. If you already have contemporary interiors, the vintage art will create a visual balance which can’t be easily found in a modern furniture shop. Vintage art is an effortless way to make a home look authentic and lived in.”
Avoid The Biggest Mistakes
Both experts caution against buying for the wrong reasons. "Buying something simply because it's original rather than because you genuinely love it" is the mistake Annalise sees most often.
For Julia, it's “choosing what you deem to be ‘fashionable’, constantly searching for provenance, or hoping to make money out of the purchase! Art can easily be overthought but a painting is there to be seen and lived with, so choose what you are drawn to and the painting will make you happy every day.”
Don't Get Hung Up On Investments
Julia sums it up well: "It doesn’t really matter what you are paying for it. If you love it, if it makes your heart flutter and your tummy tighten, then it’s worth it. Don’t see vintage art as an investment unless you measure return in years of joy and pleasure."
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