AGALMATA is a firm based in Paris (France) specialized in the expertise (authentification, valuation), the protection of European and Mediterranean artworks, and in shaping art collections from antiquity to modernity ...
Over the years, the singular history of AGALMATA has been built around extraordinary art collections, artworks that are not attributed, not characterized or not referenced, which we have studied, appraised, valued (restorations, framing, etc.), rehabilitated with the scientific community, museum curators or market players...
Agalmata ( ancient Greek ): objects that bring joy and satisfaction || images or sculptures || offerings
THE SPIRIT
The AGALMATA consulting firm breaks down sectoral boundaries: it forms a bridge between the academic sphere and the art market.
Beyond the fortunate rediscovery of forgotten masterpieces, AGALMATA also contributes to the emergence of new patrimonial values through the recognition of artistic and cultural goods incorporating rare value indicators: technical interest; symbolic or ideological significance; scientificity; oneiric charge; emotional potential; rarity ...
Focusing on,
excellence Through the systematic use of protocol procedures, the verification of referential sources and corpus, by the search for traceability
discretion
safety of artworks By maintaining their physical integrity, with preventive and curative conservation measures, and by the use of highly secured devices
independence Validation of artworks is primarily patrimonial, artistic and historical; it is done on the margins of the traditional trading system and, as such, is an alternative to art market certification (the adjudication price, more often). Our approach, which is both collegial and pluridisciplinary, guarantees values that are difficult to grasp, particularly in situations of uncertainty about unpublished or rediscovered artworks
audacity and passion By prioritizing the intervention of artists, composers and poets, transforming presentations of artworks into emotional and immersive experiences
and cooperations AGALMATA acts in concert with other cultural actors and scientists from various disciplines (historians, chemists, art critics, curators, restorers, archaeologists, ...), giving priority to pluridisciplinarity and, to the extent possible, international positioning
Dr Laure Chevalier - PhD in History of Art and Archeology at Paris X University, qualified as lecturer in history, civilization, archaeology and arts of ancient and medieval worlds (section 21, CNU, 2002-2006)) is the CEO of AGALMATA she created in 2006. Moreover, Laure Chevalier is a specialist in European and Mediterranean Arts from antiquity to modernity, mainly in masterpieces and particular collections (unicum, workshop fund, artist's succession, unattributed or indeterminate artworks), as private art curator or purchase's advisor. At the same time Laure Chevalier is pursuing research activities in anthropology of art at the Centre d'Archeologie Générale (Sorbonne University), teaches methodology for the expertise (authentification, valuation, attribution, traceability of artworks) at university, and participates in multidisciplinary programs, notably in the fight against art trafficking [national project POLAR - MRSEI (ANR / ENSP coordination); European project NETCHER H2020 (European Commission / CNRS (France) coordination)].
Laure Chevalier's perspective of art productions stems from a theoretical and practical apprenticeship, wich started early on into childhood alongside her mother, who is a painter and engraver, and her father-in-law who was a musician and a ceramist. Her sharpened perception of art was stimulated by her 10 years of intensive training at the Regional School of Fine Arts of the City of Paris (Place des Vosges, courses of Agnes Carré), including drawing and painting. The reading of patinas and the deciphering of the stigmas of time on art objects of all types and ages are part of her former archaeological profession, mainly in Greece, between 1995 and 2005, as an associate researcher of the French School of Athens. The apprenticeship with a great teacher and mentor, Prof. Olivier Masson (an eminent specialist in Cypriot antiquities, keen on old collections and curious about the artmarket), was also decisive - Laure Chevalier having had the privilege of being the private secretary of the Professor Emeritus during the last months of his life.
A multidisciplinary intelligence at the service of remarkable and irreplaceable artworks
It is the contribution of the different specialties - and the collegiality of experts - that in a consensus authenticates the work and its artist, or its context of creation. The evidence must fit into a reality: historical, scientific, and artistic. For "treasures", objects of art of high patrimonial value, this may be the "consensus" of the entire scientific community that validates expertise. Thanks to our network of highly qualified consultants, the collegial approach prevails for exceptional works and art collections, but also for traceability research.