How does the art acquisition process work?
Every acquisition begins with a conversation.
We take the time to understand your collecting goals, aesthetic preferences, budget, timeline and the role the artwork will play within your home, business or collection. From there, we develop a tailored acquisition strategy and present a curated selection of artworks that align with your objectives.
Throughout the process, we provide market insight, due diligence, provenance research, condition review and transaction management. Once a work has been selected, we coordinate every aspect of the purchase, including shipping, importing, framing and installation.
Who does RRFA provide art advisory services for?
There is no typical RRFA client.
We work with private collectors at every stage of their collecting journey, from those acquiring their first significant work to those with established collections, as well as collectors looking to divest their collections. We also advise corporate clients and collaborate with interior designers, architects and other design professionals to source art for residential, hospitality and commercial projects.
Our approach is tailored to each client’s objectives, whether building a collection, acquiring a specific work or integrating art into a larger design vision. Regardless of the scope or nature of the engagement, every relationship is built on confidentiality — the identities of our clients, their collections and their objectives are always held with the utmost discretion.
What types of art do you specialize in?
We specialize in matching art to the collector, not the other way around.
Our expertise spans historic, modern and contemporary art. We have a deep understanding of the artists, movements and markets that have shaped the art world. We also work extensively with contemporary art, representing opportunities across emerging, mid-career and established artists.
We advise across a wide range of mediums, including paintings, sculpture, photography, works on paper and limited edition prints. Rather than promoting a predetermined roster of artists, every recommendation is tailored to our clients’ collecting objectives, personal interests and long-term vision.
As independent advisors and dealers, we are able to source opportunities across both the primary and secondary markets, allowing us to remain objective in every recommendation we make.
Can you source works that are not publicly available?
Many exceptional opportunities never reach the public market.
Through our longstanding relationships within the international art community, we are often able to source works privately that may not otherwise be available. Our extensive network of artists, galleries, collectors, estates and fellow dealers enables us to identify opportunities of historic and contemporary works discreetly and proactively, often before they become widely known.
Where do you work?
Our practice is inherently global.
RRFA is based in Montreal with advisors in Toronto and New York, working with clients across Canada, the United States and abroad.
Through virtual consultations, regular travel and our international network, we seamlessly advise clients, source artworks and manage acquisitions and sales regardless of location.
How are your advisory services structured?
Every acquisition project is unique.
Some collectors seek guidance on acquiring a single artwork, while others engage us to build or refine collections over many years. Our acquisition process begins with an engagement agreement tailored to the scope of your project, ensuring we can devote the appropriate time, research and strategic guidance to sourcing opportunities that align with your collecting goals.
Once we understand your objectives, we’ll recommend the advisory structure best suited to your needs and ensure complete transparency before any work begins.
Please contact us for additional information.
Can you assist with shipping, framing, installation and collection management?
Yes – our involvement doesn’t end at the acquisition.
Following an acquisition, we coordinate framing, conservation, shipping, importing/exporting, installation and collection management through a trusted network of experienced professionals.
Whether a work is travelling across the city or across continents, we oversee the process to ensure it arrives safely and is installed with the highest level of care.
Can RRFA help me sell artwork on the secondary market?
Yes, selling well requires the same expertise as buying well.
As private art dealers, we assist clients in selling artworks through the secondary market, including works acquired through previous collections or inherited estates. We evaluate each work individually and advise on the most appropriate approach to sale, taking into consideration the artist, provenance, condition and current market.
We can accept works on consignment and, where appropriate, arrange secure storage and logistics, so the artwork does not necessarily need to be in our possession. Our private sale approach can also offer greater discretion, flexibility and competitive terms compared with traditional auction channels.