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