Meet our In-house Art Specialist

Posted by Bedrock on 3rd November 2025

Private art collections are evolving,  growing not only in scale but also in sophistication. As these collections expand, the importance of their careful organisation and administration becomes ever more critical.  Every artwork carries not only financial value but also history and meaning, and ensuring each piece is preserved, documented, and managed with precision is a craft in itself.

This perspective was brought into sharp focus during a recent collaboration with The Fine Art Group, where we hosted a select group of guests for a private tour of Frieze London and intimate dinner at the home of a distinguished collector. The experience offered a rare glimpse into an extraordinary collection and sparked meaningful conversations about the stewardship of private art assets.

To explore these themes further, Cécile Canton, a member of our Private Office team and in-house art specialist, shares her approach to the meticulous organisation and administration of collections, and reflects on how families are increasingly professionalising the preservation of their collections.

Behind the Scenes Organising a Private Collection

Q Your role involves overseeing the organisation and administration of clients’ private art collections. What does that look like on a daily basis?

Cécile: No two days are ever the same and that’s what I love most about it. One day I might be updating the documentation for an artwork, ensuring its provenance and condition reports are accurate and complete, and the next, coordinating the international transport of a piece or arranging its installation in a client’s home.

In one instance, I assisted a client whose cherished artwork had been damaged. We handled the insurance claim, coordinated with our trusted network of restorers, and oversaw the restoration until the piece was returned to its original state. That level of care builds trust and it’s what defines our approach. I also assist with acquisitions and sales, from advising clients to liaising with galleries and auction houses. My work includes regular client reporting, organising private viewings, and facilitating cultural enrichment experiences.

In essence, my role is to ensure that every piece is properly recorded, protected, conserved, and, above all, enjoyed!

The Art of Documentation

Q What does proper cataloguing and documentation involve for high-value collections?

Cécile: It all begins with meticulous record-keeping. Every piece, whether a Renaissance portrait or a contemporary installation, is carefully documented with details such as the artist, title, date, provenance, condition, and exhibition history.

We use professional collection management platforms like Artbinder and Collector Systems to centralise this information, track movements, and generate tailored reports for clients. Alongside this, we maintain digital archives of all supporting documents such as certificates, invoices, customs paperwork. Ensuring every element is traceable and instantly accessible.

Conservation monitoring is another vital part of the process. Through regular condition reports and photographic updates, we can identify the slightest changes in condition over time.

Ultimately, our goal is to offer clients complete peace of mind: knowing they are getting the professional and secure management of their art collections, while also providing them with seamless digital access to their artworks through a secure portal or vault, wherever they are.

Protecting the Irreplaceable

Q And when it comes to transport, insurance, and storage — how do you ensure these valuable works are protected at every step?

Cécile: The logistics of moving art are highly specialised and require meticulous coordination across continents and partners.

For example, we recently managed the relocation of a client’s collection from New York to Geneva. This involved obtaining detailed condition reports from galleries, ensuring accurate documentation and invoicing with suppliers, arranging comprehensive insurance coverage, and overseeing customs clearance. We work exclusively with expert fine-art shippers who understand the unique requirements of high-value works.

Every factor is considered from climate conditions and material fragility to security protocols. Each piece is packed in custom, climate-controlled or shock-resistant crates and transported under strict supervision. Compliance is equally critical. Whether it’s securing permits such as CITES or maintaining detailed records of every handler involved, we ensure full traceability and accountability throughout the entire process.

All of this attention to detail means our clients can feel confident that every aspect of the process has been carefully managed on their behalf.

Supporting Every Step of the Sale

Q When a client decides to sell, how do you guide them through that process?

Cécile: The first step is understanding why the client wishes to sell. Sometimes it’s part of estate restructuring; other times it’s about refocusing their collection or simply creating space for new acquisitions. Once we understand the motivation, we can tailor our approach accordingly.

We handle every aspect of the process: evaluation and appraisals, selecting the appropriate sales channel, whether that’s an auction for high visibility and value; or a gallery for a private or targeted sale, to negotiating fees, commissions, and exclusivity. I get involved with preparing the artwork with documentation, marketing, and transport, and finally overseeing the post-sale follow-up, including coordination with the seller, reporting, and payment. Our goal is really to deliver a seamless experience from start to finish.

Some clients prefer to stay at a distance from the sales process, while others want to be involved at every stage. My role is to adjust their level of involvement to provide emotional support, because selling art is not just a financial process, it’s often a very personal one.

Preparing for a Major Auction

Q What’s been one of your most rewarding projects?

Cécile: One of the most exciting projects I’ve had the opportunity to manage was the preparation of a major auction at Christie’s London, featuring the art collection of a world-renowned collector. It was both intense and immensely rewarding.

The first phase involved a meticulous process of gathering and selecting the pieces—furniture, artworks, and decorative objects. This required not only identifying the most iconic items but also ensuring the coherence of the collection, while respecting both the client’s wishes and Christie’s exacting standards.

Once the selection was finalised, we coordinated the shipment of the entire collection to London. This involved complex logistics: specialised packing, secure transport, customs formalities, and close collaboration with Christie’s teams to align with their schedule and catalogue production.

This project allowed me to combine artistic sensitivity, organisational precision, and diplomacy, working alongside international experts. It remains a benchmark for me in terms of project management in the art world.

How Families Are Professionalising Art Ownership

Q How are wealthy families today approaching the organisation and preservation of their collections?

Cécile: I’ve observed a clear shift toward professionalisation, with families adopting a structured and strategic approach to managing their art collections. Many now treat their collections with the same oversight as other asset classes, hiring dedicated advisors, private curators, or family offices to ensure expert management.

Digitalisation is another major trend. Families are embracing technology, from blockchain provenance tracking to advanced cataloguing systems, to enhance transparency and traceability.

We’re also seeing a growing intergenerational focus, with younger family members taking an active interest in contemporary art and seeking to make collections more accessible. Alongside this, there’s an increasing emphasis on philanthropy and public engagement, from establishing private museums and supporting artistic creation to patronage and partnerships with cultural institutions.

Collecting with Purpose

Q Finally, for those beginning to collect art, what advice would you give?

Cécile: Start with your heart. The best collections are built on emotion, when you buy with your heart, you’re not just building a collection, you’re telling a story. And that story is yours alone.

From a practical standpoint, it’s essential to document every piece carefully, insure your works appropriately, and pay attention to storage and environmental conditions. Regular appraisals and an awareness of the tax implications of your collection are also important considerations.

Ultimately, collecting art is about curating emotion, memory, and meaning. Many of the most compelling collections begin with a single piece that resonates deeply with the collector, sparking wonder, nostalgia, curiosity, or even discomfort.

If you’d like to explore how Bedrock can support the organisation and administration of your art collection, feel free to email us at info@bedrockgroup.ch.

Interested in joining us at future events, like our recent collaboration with The Fine Art Group? Register your interest here or email events@bedrockgroup.com.