By Christine Nelson | Observer Contributor
Photo courtesy of www.robertgosborne.com.
Imagine buying and selling works of art by artists such as Rubens, Degas, Sargent, O’Keefe and Vermeer.
Robert G. Osborne, a local contemporary artist from Athol, did that for 35 years in New York City and recently shared highlights and advice from his career as an art dealer, museum director, and artist.
Osborne showed slides of noteworthy artwork he bought and then later sold.
A smaller Rubens illustration (c. 1632) that mirrored the master’s paintings was sold to University of California, Berkeley. “I was very proud of this one,” Osborne said.
There was also the O’Keefe painting that was far different from her vibrant flowers or New Mexican landscapes.
In East River (c. 1928) O’Keefe depicts grey smoke-stack factories peppering the shores of the river.
A Johannes Vermeer painting Osborne bought, A Young Woman Seated at the Virginal (c. 1670), was criticized for a flaw in painting technique.
Osborne had trouble selling it. Many years later someone else sold it for $30 million dollars. “The art market is very different today than when I was a dealer,“ Osborne said. He retired from buying and selling artwork in the 1980’s.
Osborne advocated for the value of an art education. “It teaches total concentration and absorption to create personal statements,”
Osborne said. It also gives you a “good eye” that can be applied to a number of different jobs, including various types of design, illustration, teaching, art critique, auction house work, and museum work. “Many museums will hire young people as art installers, handlers and guards,” Osborne added.
He spoke highly of the several art classes he took at MWCC—just a few years ago. “I loved working with young people and having an intellectual relationship with teachers,” Osborne said. He added, too, that the MWCC library is a “major asset”, with a great cross section of art books.
Osborne encouraged graduates to move to an area that has a strong art center. “I recommend New York City, but I realize I am biased,” Osborne said. “Then go to art museums on a regular basis to develop your eye.”
He encouraged students to visit the many art museums here in Massachusetts.
Selections of Osborne’s work will be exhibited in the East Wing Gallery this September.
For samples of his work, go to www.robertgosborne.com.
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