Living over 35 years in the Principality of Monaco, Mark Armstrong is the director of Sotheby’s Monte Carlo, the local branch of the leading auction house in the world. We were keen to discover his journey from the love of furniture to becoming one of the most respected art experts of the Principality of Monaco.
Long-term resident, Mark Armstrong manages Sotheby’s Monte Carlo office, which covers Monaco and the Alpes-Maritimes area. Born in London, UK, he pursued his goal to make his childhood dream come true, to become part of the field of art and craftsmanship.
Mark, do you remember your earliest connection with art?
“I partly grew up in an old house in the country in England and I was always fascinated about the antique furniture, porcelain, and paintings in it. We also used to visit a lot of museums in the UK and abroad. I remember that when we returned from living in Malta for several years, I found an old oil painting on the top chest of a Tallboy which is a high chest of drawers. My father said that I could research it and if it was worth anything we would sell it and then go on a family holiday.”
Back then Mark did not know that this research would transform his life and define his later career in the field of art.
Driven by this challenge, the 17-year-old Mark went to London to the Victoria and Albert Museum to find out more.
“I remember walking for the first time down Bond Street, I was very fascinated by the number of galleries like Agnews, and Tessiers, jewellers, and art experts. I went to Sotheby’s to see about selling the picture. The person at the counter knew immediately who the painter was as well as everything related to the period. I was very impressed by his knowledge and expertise. From that moment onwards, this experience kept returning to my mind.”
What is your first memory of Monaco and why did you decide to relocate here?
“My father and grandmother left Ireland in the 1920s and they lived in Nice and often visited Monaco. My father used to talk a lot about Monaco and the way our family used to come here,” - remembers back Mark.
After finishing his studies, Mark wished to work at Sotheby’s. However, the auction house told him that first, he needed to gain experience somewhere else before applying again in the future. Mark started to work in different jobs to gain more experience, such as in antique shops and he was a porter as well at Bonhams.
Sotheby’s opened its first office in Monaco in 1967 and was the first international auction house to organize public sales in the Principality of Monaco. Many sales were held then until the opening of the art market in France, ending the 400-year monopoly of French auctioneers in 2001.
While most people associate fine art and sculpture with the auction house, Sotheby’s Monte Carlo not only evaluates works of art but also makes valuations on furniture, watches, and wine. Paintings and furniture are Mark’s preferred areas.
Mark started to work at Sotheby’s in London, the UK in 1982.
“This was the beginning of a very exciting period for me. It immediately recalled my experience as a youngster in London. I found it fascinating to look at things, to go to libraries, learn and research different types of art and to talk to clients and learn from them and the various specialists in the departments and gain invaluable knowledge. I felt this was a fantastic life.”
After a few years working in London, Mark went to Cape Town, South Africa, the next step on his journey with many marvelous experiences there. However, London, the city where he made his art researches stayed as an important part of his life.
“In 1985, Mark Blondeau who was running Sotheby’s in Paris then came to see me and said he would like me to go to work in Monaco. During that time, I was immersed in expanding my knowledge in many fields, but I also wanted to know more about French furniture and to learn Italian. So, I accepted the offer and started to work with Sotheby’s Monaco.”
From this point on, not only did his job but also Mark’s life evolved thanks to the international scene of the Principality of Monaco.
Since 2001, the Sotheby’s Monaco’s team, directed by Mark Armstrong, forges special ties with Monaco based collectors helping them with consigning works from their collections in major international sessions in Paris, London, Geneva, Hong Kong, and New York.
How would you describe the art scene of the Principality of Monaco?
“Now it is very different than it was back in the 1980s. The Principality had a very traditional market focusing mainly on Old Masters and antique furniture. This has changed a lot. Monaco is very interesting now, there are all sorts of things going on. I am obviously very excited about the Summer showroom Gallery Sotheby’s opened in July. The Nouveau Musée Nationale de Monaco has fostered many interesting and innovative exhibitions in the last years and the arrival of the Gallery Hauser & Wirth is very good news. The world class exhibitions put on every summer at the Grimaldi Forum have been game changers and made Monaco a major destination to view art.”
Why is that?
“Monaco needs more top notch galleries because art collectors like to go to places where they can physically connect with the artworks. And finally, after many decades, they can do so. In our case I found it interesting to see how being surrounded by art relaxes people, they feel happy to connect with it and want to learn.”
Do people dare to ask questions about artworks?
“Absolutely, most of our clients share a common curiosity to understand a painting for example and to learn the story behind it, and anything related to it. Sometimes they do not understand certain paintings or artistic styles and we are always happy to explain which brings them to a closer understanding. As you know not every painting is easy on the eye, but most of them have a great story behind them.”
Do you like the local art fairs as well?
“Yes, we have Art Monte Carlo and Monaco Art Week which has become the pinnacle of the local art exhibitions. Art Monte Carlo is a very enjoyable show, presenting a really good and wide selection of top-quality art.”
Do you also have a plan to repeat the pop-up store, as a continuation for Sotheby’s Monaco?
“I certainly hope so.”
What would you say, does the Principality have more appetite for classical old masters or modern art?
“Based on my experience there will be more contemporary art sold in Monaco nowadays,” - states Mark.
How would you compare the artistic culture of Monaco to London?
“It is an impossible comparison because all major capitals of the world have different appetites for art. Some cities, such as London have 10 million people, while Monaco, although international has only 39,000. Therefore, it is hard to compare them.”
Mark believes that Monaco is a place where people love to come to. And if the Principality builds up a hub for international galleries on a high level, art collectors will come to Monaco to experience and see things physically.
“One should never forget that during the pandemic people were forced to see art on the computer. Now they have the possibility of seeing artworks in real life which they truly enjoy. Learning from this, if Monaco offers the possibility for art lovers to physically connect with artists themselves as well as with good quality artworks, then collectors will also come combining art and tourism in the Principality.”
The Principality has an immaculate standard when it comes to luxury and lifestyle, and Mark hopes that the artistic scene will rise to the same level.
Based on your experience Mark, do you think art collectors like to personally select the artworks or do they simply entrust an art advisor to build their collections?
“I think it is a combination of both. If you are a collector, you might fall in love with an artwork. Obviously, you can work with people such as ourselves or art advisors who will advise you about the artist and the artwork, or offer you guidance on what to do or which direction to grow. Just as with most other high-value assets, collectors often seek advice to verify their purchases, but this is quite a normal process. However, everything starts from the collector’s appreciation of the artistic style and expression.”
So collecting art is about passion first?
“Absolutely. It is important but one cannot collect in an irrational manner.”
What would your advice be for an art collector?
“If the collector is interested in contemporary art I would advise them to start buying from young artists. To go and meet the artists, to see the process of creation, and even to try to paint themselves. Because all of these experiences will help to understand the artists’ sensibility. The good thing with contemporary artists is that they are still alive, so collectors can meet them personally, ask questions and make studio visits. This is as important as going to art fairs or talking to advisors.”
And if someone prefers a non-living artist?
“It is important to understand the artist’s context, life story and history. For example, many people like Pablo Picasso. However, Picasso had different artistic periods that have shaped his art. Picasso, had multiple periods, such as the Blue period, the Rose period, African art, Primitivism, Analytic Cubism, Synthetic cubism, Neoclassicism, Surrealism, Great Depression, World War II, and of course his later works in the final years. Collectors need to decide whether they want to collect works from each era, or they stick to a specific period of an artist. To make such a decision one has to understand the life and factors that influence an artist.”
Mark believes that one of the key secrets for collectors is to identify the key points of what they like and to constantly develop and refine their collections. To seek advice and educate themselves by visiting galleries, museums, open studio days, and visit auction houses.
Many galleries are focusing on both fine and affordable art.
“Yes, I think offering affordable art is very interesting because it is a way into the market for many people. They can start to learn and develop their skills in terms of what is interesting for them.”
Do you have any favourite artists?
“My absolute favorite artist is the Spanish painter, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez. This brings me back to my childhood when I was looking at art in old encyclopedias with black and white photos. And when I went to the Prado to see Velázquez in real life it was mind-blowing.”
Any other names?
“I am very interested in Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, the way he lived and how he painted. He was an artist who changed how we look at things. I think Picasso is also extraordinary. And I always loved the Impressionist landscape painter, Alfred Sisley and others like Manet and Monet. Recently, I have become very interested in Old Master paintings.”
Have you ever wanted to be an artist?
“I am a Sunday artist,” - laughs Mark. - “I paint and this is something I advise people to try. When you try to paint, you understand the processes of art and what being an artist is about. For example, if you are interested in prints and lithographs, go to a printmaker and learn how they etch the copper. Try learning all these techniques by yourself and you will discover and appreciate how all these artists work and how dedicated they are.”
In the Principality of Monaco for instance local artist, Alan Walsh often paints live in his gallery.
“Yes, I like that, I am a fan of his graphic style and I think live painting is a fantastic thing. I believe it is important to build up the connection between the artist and the collector and to understand what makes an artist think and create. It is important to understand the mental process behind an artwork, especially if it is abstract or non-figurative art. Much contemporary art is fairly hermetic and this is why it is important to visit galleries and art fairs and if possible, artist studios and learn. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Monaco needs more experiences like this to bring art closer to people.”
Will you open your studio to the Monégasque people?
“Hahaha, I don’t have a studio” - laughs Mark. “I have a table in the garden in the countryside or my dining room table. The difference is that I paint only for myself and my family and not professionally.”
Which style do you paint?
“I do abstract, figurative, and more landscapes recently. When I paint landscapes they are mostly in the Var and around St Tropez.”
Sotheby’s Monaco is an expert in various things, such as art, furniture, paintings, watches, and wine. Has your passion towards furniture changed over the past decades?
“I am still very fascinated with French furniture. But I also love English, Italian and German furniture. I think it is fascinating because you also must put the furniture into an architectural context. I think Italians are masters of space. No matter how decorative it is, a piece of furniture always has a reason why it exists, and I find this very interesting. But I have to confess that I am more drawn to paintings now.”
What do you think, what is the secret of being a successful auction house?
“Auction houses need to evolve, which they do. When I first started at Sotheby’s there was no marketing, people just came. Nowadays, marketing and digital content are part of everyday life. Next to fine art, we are now also moving into the luxury market which is very interesting because that’s what the market wants. So, it is important to move with the times and fully accept the market needs.”
If someone has an artwork at home that they wish to sell, what is the typical process?
“Anyone can come to us with their artwork, we are more than happy to have a look at it and tell them whether it is something for a Sotheby’s auction or not. We do many valuations thanks to our extended network of art experts all around the world.”
How long does it take to sell a high-value artwork?
“Art auctions are always periodic. You might miss the deadline for the London auction because the catalogue is closed, but you might be just in time for the next one in New York, Paris, or Hong Kong. We have regular auctions throughout the year. The average time is between three to four months because we suggest the best location for the piece to be auctioned.”
Do people finance their artworks?
“We have a special Department, Sotheby’s Financial Services which can advise on all these matters.”
Can you see a fully digital Sotheby’s in the near future?
“To some extent we are already digital but people still want to see art physically. All our sales are also available online. However, for me the thrill of seeing a work and personal impression cannot be captured by a digital photo. People love to touch things, to have sculptures in their hands, and to experience the aesthetic thrill. However, I fully recognize the development of digital for selling art, and I understand the new interest in NFTs.”
Another emerging trend is to put art on superyachts.
“Yes, I have heard that, but obviously it requires very specific preparation. I could not imagine a high-value artwork on a yacht without a specific protective plexiglass frame. Yachts are not designed to have too much art in them, and the size can be a problem because a lot of contemporary art is relatively big, and sea air is not good for pictures but yes, why not,” - smiles Mark.
Sotheby’s Monaco had some collaborations with local banks in the past.
“Banks love to bring their clients to sophisticated, high-end galleries. It is different from holding an event in an office or hotel. The clients also enjoy learning about something new. They often ask very appropriate questions. We always try to create an interactive event where we involve people and not just tell the story of the artist. That’s one of the fun things here in the Summer Gallery; seeing how the connection between the artwork and the client can gradually grow.”
What do you think, which cities are the most interesting hubs for artists?
“The next spark could be anywhere. It could be Berlin, Paris, or New York. For example, Berlin has a lot of artists so you never know, it might be flowering again. I believe that some really good artists will come along, worthy for the best international art fairs.”
When can we see the next big Sotheby’s event in Monaco?
“It will be the Karl Lagerfeld Sale which will take place in December here in Monaco. For the Gallery, I think it will be probably in May 2022 during the three Grand Prix races and it will be quite interesting. Summertime is an exciting period in Monaco.”
What are the chances for a young contemporary artist to be represented in a Sotheby’s auction?
“We are not a primary market but a secondary one. An artist needs to build up a body of work that is interesting and which has already attracted the primary market. It is hard to say, but it is more about the track record and the existing buyer base before an artist comes into our sphere. However, just recently in London several younger artists were represented in our October Sales.
But its difficult to break through. Art schools are producing artists, but without teaching them how to market themselves they will not find their way to the primary or secondary market. Sometimes it is a matter of being in the right place at the right time and attracting a Gallery.”
In the meantime, what would the first place be you would suggest for an art lover in Monaco?
“When you come to Monaco, just look around. We have so many marvellous large sculptures all around the Principality. The public spaces and parks of Monaco offer a thrilling outdoor experience for any art lover. The museums often have exciting and interesting shows too.”