Frédéric de Senarclens

Frédéric de Senarclens, partner at Bartha & Senarclens Partners shares with us his philosophy when buying art and why Singapore was an ideal location for their business expansion in Asia.

Tell us more about yourself.

F: I have always been attracted and fascinated by fine art. I started my own collection at the age of 16. After graduating in Economics and Political Science and some work experience abroad, I had the opportunity to work for an important art dealer in Geneva who taught me extensively about the art market and its subtleties. I met art collectors, participated in art fairs and dealt in impressionist and modern art. In 2005, I opened my own gallery with Georges de Bartha, an art dealer who was also based in Geneva. In 2008 our operations expanded to Singapore.

What is the reason behind your move to Singapore?

F: We had reached the stage where there was capacity for expansion. We thought of places like New York, Paris and London. All these cities are very attractive, however there were certain downsides. If we think of the art market, New York is very crowded while London is an established and a very expensive city. Turning our sights to Asia, there was Hong Kong – another very mature art market – Shanghai and Beijing.

We chose Singapore for two reasons. Firstly, government support for the arts is tremendous. The government is developing the art market and positioning Singapore as a cultural hub. They are building museums, creating the infrastructure for adequate fine art storage facilities and providing tax incentives for corporates who engage in public art projects. Secondly, the private banking industry has expanded in recent years, attracting investors from all over the region – Indonesia, India and China, thereby creating an attractive environment for art investment.

When investing in art, what are the key things to look out for?

F: There are many art funds that exist today. While it is true that art can be a very lucrative long term investment and attractive asset class it is a difficult and often complicated investment vehicle. A lot of art funds have been unsuccessful and there is a great history of failure. Some art funds never deliver the expected returns. If you consider investing in an art fund, you should look carefully at the fund cost structure. It is no secret that fund managers, experts and auditors cost a lot money. You should also be aware of where they buy the art and how much commission they charge. It is also important to know whether management have invested their own funds and when precisely the fund is expected to earn profit. Personally, I prefer to buy one piece rather than to invest in a relatively opaque fund. However, if you have a pool of investors, it may be a better idea to form your own structure and engage an art dealer directly to make your investments.

What do you look out for when you buy art?

F: Buying art is a very personal activity. There are a range of emotions associated with the purchase of any artwork. It is an acquisition that involves emotion and passion. I seek works that are intellectually stimulating and excite my eye. I trust my instincts.

Obviously, I also look at the artist’s career history. I try to have a broad understanding of their body of work and select a piece that is very representative of their style.

Are there any bad investments so far?

F: There are certainly times when I have made impulsive purchases. However, I have always followed my instincts and I have never regretted any of my acquisitions.





About Bartha & Senarclens Partners

Bartha & Senarclens Partners deal in impressionist, modern and contemporary art, focusing on American and European Art. Their clientele includes individuals and institutional clients such as foundations, banks, trusts and government bodies. They offer a full art advisory service, including acquisition and collection management for private and corporate art collections.