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599 NINTH STREET NORTH SUITE 309 | NAPLES, FL 34102 | 239.261.2637
ASK THE ARTSPERTS PASSING ON ART www.harmonmeek.com
by Juliana Meek and Kristine Meek likely already have a
plan in place to donate
Dear Artsperts: the collection to a
non-profit museum,
My parents loved collecting art and they library, or university.
passed their love of art on to me and my brothers, We will focus on the
but when my parents passed away recently, my first group of modest
siblings and I had a horrible time sorting out collectors.
who should get what paintings and sculpture.
Do you have any advice? Parents often
listen through the
Signed, years to find out
which works of art are
Inherited Headache cherished by which
children and may
Dear Inherited, already name those
works specifically in
In most instances folks are usually describing their wills.Sometimes
works of art which either filled the decorative parents will place
needs in a home or were part of a real interest tags on the back of
in collecting art. In the latter case, works were paintings or under bases of sculpture noting a child or grandchild’s name. We have heard
placed wherever they might fit regardless of stories of jealous siblings sneaking around to change the tags to suit their own desires!
decorating concerns. Major collectors who have
so much art that it must be stored offsite or may In many cases the furnishings and art are often just left for the children to divide after
be on long term loan to various museums most the parents have passed away.That can either become an amicable situation or a testy one at
best. You can try to estimate value or have the works appraised, but sometimes something
of less monetary value has great sentimental value. The remaining works which have no
interest to any of the children can be taken to an auction house, brought to the gallery the
work was purchased to be consigned, or donated.
Works of art can go up or down in value relative to when they were originally purchased.
Tastes change and popularity of a particular artist and demand versus availability of their
works can change as well. While they were in your parent’s home(s) they represented the
tastes of your parents and brought your parents enjoyment.
In your collecting, keep receipts of what works you purchased - for how much and where
from - and look for free auction appraisal events at area auction houses to have an idea what
your art might sell for at auction. You should also check with your CPA or tax advisor about
any federal or state inheritance tax implications.
Sincerely,
The Artsperts
Right: An example of our own parents’ collection: Hunt Slonem upholstered Victorian sofa; Robert Natkin, Jimmy
Ernst & Byron Browne paintings; a Pairpoint cut glass lamp and French brass lamp.
Left: Another Victorian love seat with Hunt Slonem upholstery,
a cut glass window from 1906 and a Jon Corbino oil of “Dancing Horses” from 1962.
30 Life in Naples | May • June • July 2016
