Why are some artists remembered and not others? 

 

Clarice Beckett, 'Misty Evening, Beaumaris'

 

Need help managing an Artist Estate? Reach out to see how we can help (hello@artandcollectors.com) or explore our Estate Services. 

 

During her lifetime and for many decades after, the Australian artist Clarice Beckett (1887 – 1935) was largely unknown, leading a quiet life in the Melbourne suburb of Beaumaris. When she died at age 48, her father destroyed many of her works, deeming them “unfinished”. More paintings perished still in a bushfire and poor storage, leaving only a few hundred to be salvaged by curator Rosalind Hollinrake in 1970. Captivated by Beckett’s vision, Hollinrake put on an exhibition that became the seed of a far-reaching legacy. 

Beckett’s story carries more than a touch of serendipity. Without the exceptionalism of Hollinrake, it is possible she would have remained obscure – a fate that artists and their families must contend with. The feat of nurturing, building and protecting an artist’s legacy carries philosophical, logistical and ethical implications, requiring a form of care that is both strategic and comprehensive. 

 

1. Have conversations

This pertains to both artists and their families, and involves multiple kinds of conversations – talk about their practice, what’s important to them in terms of legacy, any current deals or relationships they have with other art professionals, and where their body of work is housed. 

Artists may consider formalising their wishes through a will or a transfer document, which provides guidelines on how works of art should be cared for, restored and presented. They may also create an inventory that lists what they are happy to be sold or donated, what they would like to give away to friends, and what ought to remain in the family. 

 

2. Find the story 

Story animates legacy. It is what researchers and curators grip on to, how the public can connect with an artist generations into the future and ultimately, how art enters the narrative of history. Here, family and friends are critical. Over an artist’s lifetime, it is their loved ones who most often become the archivists of the artist in their life, rendering them pivotal bearers of the artist’s vision. 

 

3. Create an inventory 

Depending on the artist’s output, this can be a mammoth – but invaluable – undertaking. From a practical perspective, it’s step one. To help with the workload, there are professionals who can help you set up systems and solve logistical problems including creating catalogues, advising on storage, transport, pricing and conservation. 

 

4. Find ways to share the artist's work both with private collectors, galleries and museums, and the wider public 

Depending on the artist’s profile, this might include donating works to public institutions, working with a gallerist or dealer to sell individual works or put on an exhibition, and setting up a website and Instagram profile for the artist. You might also consider setting up a foundation, prize or opportunity in the artist’s honour. 

 

5. Consider market stewardship

While visibility is key to nurturing an artist’s legacy, it is important to not oversaturate the market. Fiscal and cultural value are not synonymous, but they are linked. If too much of an artist’s oeuvre is released onto the market or if it is valued irresponsibly, it can negatively affect prices and the artist’s reputation, eroding the allure of rarity and specialness that bolsters an artist’s legacy. Working with an art market specialist can help mitigate this risk.  

 

It is an art to build, protect and nurture a legacy, one that is tough to go alone especially in the throes of life and grief.  For logistical, strategic and professional support, our Estate Services can help, ensuring the ideas and visions of your loved one don’t fade away. Art history is full of too many forgotten Clarice Becketts to not try.