David Marty (1951- ) was born in northern California. He studied at Art Center College of Design, Biola University, and the Scottsdale Artists School. His landscape paintings are influenced by the French and California Impressionist style. His works attempt to capture atmospheric contrasts of light and shadow.
After a bit of digging in my appraisal auction record databases, I found that David Marty’s painting have sold for as little as $375 and as much as $7,500. While auctions in general tend to be mercurial, this is a wide range of pricing for an artist. In the case of Marty it appears his later, more detailed, tonalist paintings demand the highest prices -- while his early work sell for less.
Although undated, this painting is likely an early work by the artist. It depicts a dark forest likely in the Pacific Northwest, where Marty has spent most of his life. Although well-painted, it does not have the luminosity that appears in some of Marty’s later works. He is well-known for his skill at painting atmospheric skies, which unfortunately this painting does not have.
Still, a painting of this quality in excellent condition and of this large size (20 inches by 20 inches) by Marty would likely warrant an auction estimate as high as $1,000-$3,000. A comparable painting entitled “Golden Touch” by Marty recently sold at auction in 2013 for $3,250.
I was also able to find galleries selling Marty’s work. Retail prices can be as much as 50% higher than auction values, and would likely be priced on the higher end if sold in a gallery.
If this were appraised for resale purposes it would be estimated to have a Fair Market Value of approximately $1,500-$2,000. A treasure indeed!
*Fair Market Value Fair Market Value is defined as “the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to by or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.”
**This is not an official art appraisal. It is for informational purposes only. An appraisal is a legal document, generally for insurance purposes, written by a qualified expert who has examined the artwork in-person and is paid for by the owner of the item. An appraisal involves an extensive amount of research to establish authenticity, provenance, composition, method of construction, and other important attributes of a particular object. This article is restricted-use and is intended for educational purposes only.
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Alissa Anderson Campbell is an art appraiser for Anderson Shea Art Appraisals. She specializes in appraising European and American art for insurance, resale value, estate, tax, and charitable donation. Campbell is a member of the International Society of Appraisers. www.andersonshea-artappraisals.com
