The definition of art can change (and often does), depending on the person defining it. For some people, it’s a stylised representation of life, or some aspect of it. For others it could simply be a pretty picture or something nice to look at. In the case of fine art, the focus is more on the physical aspect of it. In other words, what you can experience with your physical senses rather than the meaning of the work. That is not to say that your fine art collection is devoid of meaning, but rather that its value comes from the skill, style and craftsmanship of the artist.

When you purchase or acquire a piece of fine art, it is an investment. This is especially true if you purchase the work of a well-known artist or sculptor. The value of such works tends to increase over time due to inflation, popularity, or reputation of the artist. The social value of the artwork itself can also increase. Your niece’s finger painting of a butterfly probably won’t fetch anything on the open market, but you can expect works by artists such as Irma Stern and Vermeer to skyrocket in value.

The Technology And Techniques Used

Whether you see your fine art collection as an investment or a conversational piece, you will need access to adequate storage facilities if your collection isn’t actively being displayed. Most artworks and sculptures cannot simply be stored in an old garage, or someone’s garden shed. The main reason for this is preservation. Fine art doesn’t have magical properties that will keep it in pristine condition (least of all when it’s exposed to destructive conditions such as mould or extreme temperatures). Below is a shortlist of the techniques and technology used to preserve or relocate your collection.

• Temperature and light control. Extreme or fluctuating temperatures and long-term exposure to light (especially UV light) can severely damage artworks. High temperatures and light exposure can accelerate degradation. If you took the Mona Lisa out of the Louvre Museum in Paris and left it in the sun all day, it would suffer catastrophic and irreparable damage.

• Humidity and atmospheric management. Few things can ruin a painting like mould and water damage. It is therefore important for storage facilities and relocation services to account for these factors. They should do so when designing or purchasing their buildings and relocation equipment.

• High security. None of the technology mentioned above will mean anything if someone could just walk into the facility. Any storage facility worth its salt will have controlled access. That is, 24/7 CCTV monitoring, nearly impenetrable fencing and structures, and guards who are always on alert.

• Specialised packaging and storage for transportation. It doesn’t make any sense to have access to state-of-the-art storage facilities only for your collection to get damaged during relocation. Elliott uses highly specialised equipment to preserve your assets during relocation. The team ensures that works arrive at their destination in perfect condition.

If your collection was your primary investment, consider specialised storage facilities and professional relocation services. This is a secondary (but equally important) investment. If the artwork is destroyed or damaged, then so is your investment. The money you spend on professional storage facilities and relocation services will only be a fraction of the cost compared to the losses you could potentially incur if your valuable artworks were not sufficiently protected. Elon Musk wouldn’t put his billions in a couple of piggy banks he keeps around his bedroom, so you should consider taking the same approach in terms of taking care of your art collection.

Make Elliott Your Go-To Company For Fine Art Storage And Relocation

There are different kinds of fine art collectors. There are those who buy art simply to look at and appreciate it, those who want to invest in fine art to secure a future income, and those who wish to preserve it for future generations (such as museums and certain non-profit institutions). Whatever their reasons are for purchasing art, they all have one specific need in common – the need for bespoke storage facilities and relocation services, such as what is offered by Elliott.

Click here to learn more about how Elliott can take care of your private art collection.