Research Assistant, Auction House

Our client, an auction house specialising in Modern Art, Contemporary Art and rare books, is looking for a Research Assistant. The Research Assistant will work with the Head of Department on auction catalogues, assist with evaluations and incoming consignments. The long-term perspective of the role is to become a Specialist in Modern and Contemporary Art.

Tasks

• Liaising with the Head of Department for the research and cataloguing of Modern and Contemporary artworks; assisting the editorial team with the production of the auction catalogue.
• Provenance research using literature from the in-house library, inventory database and online.
• Obtaining external expertise on works of art.
• General Registrar duties: manage consignments of incoming and outgoing works, database management, art handling and installing of works for auction previews; arrange for restoration of works where applicable; arrange insurance, transport (including overseeing import and export duties) and packing of artworks.
• Correspondence with private and institutional (international) customers.

Further responsibilities

• Welcoming and assisting clients, answer phone calls and assist telephone bidders during previews and auctions.
• Recording pre-sales and post-sales works, image requests and condition reports.
• Supporting the department of Valuable Books, Graphics and Historical Photography with final edits of the auction catalogue.
• Organisational support in business getting for the Head of Department.

Requirements

• Degree in art history or similar related degree a plus.
• Confident in writing art historical texts.
• Interest in the art market.
• Proactive and feels comfortable in a client facing role.
• Very good communications skills in German and English.
• A high level of commitment, resilience, flexibility and an independent way of working.