60 | MAY 26 • 2022 

L

ois Pincus Cohn’s beau-
tiful historic home is 
a wonderful backdrop 
for her paintings, sculptures 
and books about art and 
architecture. An art lover who 
describes herself as “more of a 
modernist,” she has been a col-
lector for many years, adding 
to her collection after marriage 
to her late husband, Judge 
Avern Cohn. 
In 1984, she transformed her 
interest in art into a business 
— Artspace II, a gallery for the 
resale of high-quality artwork. 
Cohn says she was inspired 
partly by her sister’s art gallery 
in San Francisco and a desire to 
help people re-sell their art. 
There is a sizable second-
ary fine art market, Cohn 
explains, because individuals 
often decide to sell their art for 
practical or aesthetic reasons. 
Sometimes owners move to 
a new house that isn’t large 
enough or doesn’t fit the style 
of their artwork, or they need 
the funds for other purposes. 
Also, Cohn says that artistic 
tastes change, and a collector 
may decide to sell a painting to 
purchase something new.
As the owner of Artspace 
for more than 30 years, Cohn 
came to know many local col-
lectors and kept up on some 
of the fine art auctions held 
across the country. That led to 
an acquaintance with Gary F. 
Metzner, senior vice president 
and head of Sotheby’s Chicago 
office. Sotheby’s, founded 

in 1744, hosts hundreds of 
auctions annually to sell art, 
jewelry and other luxury items 
in the U.S. and abroad. Cohn 
says that about three years ago, 
Metzner “tapped my shoulder 
and I was anointed” to serve 
as Sotheby’s only consultant in 
Michigan.
In that role, she connects 
with potential art sellers in the 
state, often visiting their homes 
to see their collections. Each 
piece of art potentially for sale 
requires significant analysis on 
her part — first for quality and 
appropriateness for Sotheby’s. 
“I do not take your grandma’s 
teacups,
” Cohn explains.
Then she takes photos, does 
some research on the piece and 
assesses its condition. In addi-
tion, Cohn, who has a B.F.A. in 
art history and political science, 
considers whether the artwork 
is authentic. “There is a lot of 
fake art,
” she says, especially 
artworks that are purportedly 
by Chagall, Picasso and Léger.
If the artwork meets qual-
ity and authenticity criteria, 
a description is submitted 
to Sotheby’s and, if there is 
interest by the auction house, 
she discusses a potential price 
estimate with her client. Then 
the artwork is packed by an 
art shipping firm and sent 
to Sotheby’s in New York for 
consignment. The art owner is 
charged a sales commission by 
Sotheby’s when sold. 
Cohn is Sotheby’s only 
consultant in Michigan. Most 

of her clients live in Oakland 
County, but she welcomes art 
sellers from other areas. Cohn 
has a connoisseur’s eye and a 
gracious approach to people.
“I’ve had the privilege of 
working closely with Lois over 
the last three years, in addition 
to our two decades of friend-
ship, and she has brought a 
wealth of expertise to Sotheby’s 
from her storied career in 
the art world,
” Metzner said. 

“Her strong relationships with 
artists, institutions and col-
lectors throughout the state 
of Michigan have been inte-
gral to deepening Sotheby’s 
presence in the Midwest. She 
works closely with the Chicago 
regional office in sourcing 
works for auction and private 
sale around the globe and con-
necting collectors with works 
of art from our global networks 
of auctions and sales.
” 

ARTS&LIFE
ART

Sotheby’s Michigan art consultant helps 
collectors when it’s time to sell.
A Connoisseur’s Eye

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

SHARI S. COHEN

Lois Pincus 
Cohn

