Lost Art Salon owners Gaetan Caron and Rob Delamater
Buying artwork, whether purely for aesthetics or as an investment, can be an intimidating process. Thankfully, those of us in the Bay Area who are just starting out have a great local resource. Nearly everything at Lost Art Salon is under $1000. And it is indeed set up like an early 20th century European salon, so you'll instantly feel at ease when you walk in.
The South of Market loft features original Modern Era art (1900-1960s) presented in an eclectic residential setting. "Think Paris 1920s meets industrial urban loft," said Rob Delamater, who along with Gaetan Caron, founded Lost Art. "We want our clients to feel like they're walking into our own living room, not a stuffy, cold intimidating art gallery. The residential feel of the Salon also is a way for us to show people unique ways of hanging work and displaying a mix of sculpture, ceramics, art glass and wall art."
In an interview with Instinct magazine, Delamater and Caron offered these tips for buying art:
- Select pieces you will want to own long-term.
- Don't worry about placement, as you can always find the right spot for art that you love.
- Buy one-of-a-kind works that fit your budget, rather than reproductions that anyone else can have in their home. The pair explained that "there's something about knowing you are the only one in the world that owns this work of art. Original works have a soulful quality that simply cannot be captured in reproductions, no matter how good."
Over 250 art pieces are on display at the Salon, including paintings, drawings, ceramics, glass work and sculptures. An additional 1,200 items are in a library of original images, which is available for anyone to browse. The art is procured through auctions, dealers, flea markets, antique fairs and private collections and estates.
It's now within the realm of possibility to buy a fantastic original painting. We may have to re-direct next month's coffee allowance towards some lovely new pottery for our nightstands.
(Edited from this post originally published 4.26.07)
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Comments (6)
gorgeous art and display. I feel sheepish asking this, but I really would like to know how the frames were displayed gallery style in the picture above. I see that they use picture rails -- are those specialized hooks to hold multiple frames?
er, nevermind. did some googling and came across gallery rods.
These guys have an AMAZING collection.
I've been to a couple of their parties and wanted to buy everything I saw. Is this reading too much like a Yelp posting?
They have a really impressive range of art from unknown artists to obscure early California modern landscape painters. And yes it's all very affordable.
i was so happy to see this today. lost art is an amazing resource. they always have a wonderfully imaginative collection. AND both partners are always willing to share a wealth of information about any related question.
how big is your monthly coffee allowance?!
Hi Rob,
It's Kimberly from JdV. Its so awesome to see Lost Art in AT. You're still awesome!