Wendy Cromwell is a Contemporary art expert and a leading media spokesperson. For 20 years, Wendy has built private art collections of lasting value for high-net-worth individuals. Wendy is a consistent market maker who has identified some of the most important Contemporary artists ahead of the curve, creating significant holdings for her clients, while introducing them to the joy of collecting art. Wendy has also placed significant works of art in the permanent collections of major US museums, including the Menil Collection in Houston and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.
Wendy founded her advisory firm after a decade as Vice President of Contemporary art auctions at Sotheby’s, which she joined after receiving her Master’s in Modern Art from the Institute of Fine Arts. Her knowledge of art history combined with her art market expertise and longevity in the field make Wendy uniquely qualified to advise collectors.
Wendy’s clients include both individuals and multi-generational families, who she represents as a trusted fiduciary, placing her clients interests first in a competitive...Wendy Cromwell is a Contemporary art expert and a leading media spokesperson. For 20 years, Wendy has built private art collections of lasting value for high-net-worth individuals. Wendy is a consistent market maker who has identified some of the most important Contemporary artists ahead of the curve, creating significant holdings for her clients, while introducing them to the joy of collecting art. Wendy has also placed significant works of art in the permanent collections of major US museums, including the Menil Collection in Houston and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.
Wendy founded her advisory firm after a decade as Vice President of Contemporary art auctions at Sotheby’s, which she joined after receiving her Master’s in Modern Art from the Institute of Fine Arts. Her knowledge of art history combined with her art market expertise and longevity in the field make Wendy uniquely qualified to advise collectors.
Wendy’s clients include both individuals and multi-generational families, who she represents as a trusted fiduciary, placing her clients interests first in a competitive marketplace. Wendy is an advocate for ethics in the art advisory field. She is a past President and current board member of the Association of Professional Art Advisors. She is also a USPAP-certified member of the Appraisers Association of America.
Wendy is a founding member of the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Committee, and former board member of AFIM, a global non-profit dedicated to aiding the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Wendy serves on the Board of the Sugar Hill Museum of Art & Storytelling, which hosts an artist’s residency and provides an underserved community with access to art. Wendy is also a board member of the Smith College Museum of Art, where she founded the Contemporary Associates that fund art acquisitions.
Wendy is a graduate of Smith College where she majored in Art History. She earned her MA in Modern Art from the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU.moreless
Founded in 2002, Cromwell Art is a leading art advisory firm that helps both new and experienced collectors construct lasting modern and contemporary art collections.
Sotheby's has been the world's largest, most reputable and most dynamic marketplace for art since 1744. It enables a global community of collectors and connoisseurs to find, buy, sell, and exchange fine art and rare items.
Established in 1980, The Association of Professional Art Consultants is a non-profit membership association comprised of some of the world's most renowned private and corporate art curators and art advisors.
Founded in 1949, the Appraisers Association of America is the leading national organization of appraisers specializing in fine and decorative arts. Appraisers give accurate, unbiased and truthful information based on careful valuation methodology.
Wendy served as a Board Member of the American Friends of the Israel Museum. AFIM is a non-profit organization committed to assisting the Jerusalem-based Israel Museum.
Smith College Museum of Art is a prominent art museum which features collections of 19th and 20th century American and European art. Wendy is a member of the Visiting Committee and a founder of the Contemporary Associates.
Through intergenerational interaction with artists, art and narration, the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling creates a space for children and their families to grow and learn about Sugar Hill, and the wider world, in their culturally diverse community.
“Paris+ is a smarter fair than Frieze London,” said Wendy Cromwell. “It’s the Art Basel brand: While there are fewer galleries, there is a broad representation of top works by key artists. It feels like a mini Art Basel in Paris.”
Wendy is featured in numerous articles on Artnet News sharing her art insights. Artnet News is the first 24-hour multinational art industry newswire in the world. Their goal is to keep people informed, engaged, and connected to the art world on a daily basis.
In a quote for this article for the Belfer Center, Wendy shares her opinions on how cryptocurrency is impacting the art market and art auctions as people shift towards digital assets and currencies.
In this article, Wendy Cromwell explains the current opinions surrounding NFTs in the art world, and how traditional collectors feel about the shifting focus towards digital assets.
In an article debating the two biggest auction houses selling more handbags, watches and jewelry, Wendy explains how Tad Smith was the driving force behind Sotheby’s transition into luxury.
In this article for the New York Times, Wendy comments on sales and the ways that people are spending their money in the art world as a representation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the market.
Wendy is quoted in an article discussing how a younger generation will want to connect with art, and how many older collectors are aging out of the art market.
In an interview with Artnet Talks, Wendy shares her experiences as an Art Advisor in New York, how she educates her clients on collecting art, and more.
Wendy Cromwell chats to Leslie Rankow about The Association of Professional Art Advisors and its founding members, its code of ethics, the organization's mission, and more.
Wendy gives insight on how she manages to flourish, support struggling artists and embrace digital platforms in the changing art world during uncertain times.
To learn more about the world of contemporary art, subscribe to Wendy's informative newsletter – Cromwell Art Snack – or read previous installments at Substack.
In this installment of Cromwell Art Snack, Wendy discusses the rise of the art market in Los Angeles, citing prominent artists in both New York and LA that has led to the shift in artistic output.
Wendy Cromwell, Coley Cassidy and Paula Crown examine how philanthropy and the value of making a difference through investing or charitable activities may be linked to art collecting and engagement.
Wendy joins other leading business leaders and art collectors in a discussion concerning the ways that the pandemic has impacted the global art market and New York City in particular, and how they expect the city will "bounce back" from lockdown.
