When the Price is Right

 

A friend who is an interior designer advises her clients that original art can greatly enhance their homes.  One of her clients posed this question: "How much should I expect to pay for an original painting?"  Hmmm. We all have widely divergent budgets for home decor and also for artwork. My friend mulled over the question a bit, and replied: "Well, it all depends, but as a rule of thumb, certainly more than you pay for your throw pillows!"

"Esterel"
Felix Vallottton

I thought this was a great response, and it has really stuck with me. One can easily pay big bucks for a pair of custom throw pillows in a designer fabric.  Even more if you add some special trim. And yet pillows wear out. They get stained or faded, and go out of style. On the other hand, art lasts forever. Despite these facts, people can be reluctant to spend as much for a painting as for their decorative accessories.

"Lungfrauenmassiv"
F. Hodler

Here's another quotation worth keeping in mind. This is advice from the great artist Felix Vallotton: "A mediocre painting is ALWAYS too expensive; a good picture can be expensive at its price; while a very good one is NEVER too expensive."   

"Aloe at Cassis"
Henri Manguin, 1912

Vallatton should know. He was a guiding light for Hedy Hahnloser, as she and her husband assembled a remarkable collection of paintings. They purchased these works during the first quarter of the 20th century--often from artists who were relatively unknown at the time, but are revered today. In fact, some people credit the Hahnlosers with ushering French art from the 19th into the 20th century. I have illustrated this post with paintings from their collection. 

"The Sower"
Vincent van Gogh, 1888

Alas, not all of us have budgets that allow us to assemble a museum-worthy art collection. But if we look, we all can find art within our means that speaks to us, that quickens our hearts and enhances our homes.  

**Some things are worth repeating:  parts of this post appeared previously in this blog.