Your luxury guide

Record your first impression and don’t think about it, just write what you feel.

Describe the artwork in detail, write a full description and be as thorough as you can.

Figure out the condition, are the wear and tear marks because it is old or because it has been made to look old.

Also have a look through a magnifying glass to see if any changes have been made to the work. Artists more often than not change and paint over things during the creative process. If there are no changes at all, it is probably a copy.

Ask yourself if the wear and tear marks you see correspond with what the artwork was used for. Was the artwork decoration or was it a religious icon that has been kissed in the same spot for centuries etc.

Determine the style. Is the artwork consistent with the style of the period of history this piece is from and also is it consistent with the artists style at that point in their career.

Examine all documents about the ownership of the piece from creation to now.

Get a second opinion from an expert.

Get scientific tests done by experts (although forgers are pretty good at fooling these).

Compare your first impressions with what you have learned. Does this piece have enduring appeal for you? Do you ache to possess it? In your opinion is this inspirational art? If you do and everything checks out, then buy it and don’t forget to insure it.

Collecting inspirational art for investment is a mine field best left to the experts. Collecting Old Masters, ancient Roman art and Renaissance art especially can be extremely expensive and challenging even for seasoned collectors. Most of the good originals have been snapped up by galleries and museums anyway. Collecting inspirational art for pleasure is more rewarding. If you like an art work and it fits the style and decor of your house then that’s all that matters really.

Many collectors are happy to buy prints, copies of paintings because they are cheaper and they look the same.  Originals are not just pretty pictures or sculptures, they are also pieces of history.

If you are going to get into original inspirational art collection, then you need a checklist to work from. Even the professionals who buys for museums and galleries use a checklist.