works on paper
Independent advisory – The Hague
Advisory, valuation and research for collectors, heirs and institutions. A service grounded in international academic training and hands-on knowledge of the Old Master prints and drawings market.
Ph.D. Leiden University
Decorated music manuscripts from the 17th century
Curator since 2010
Ton Koopman art collection
Old Master Prints & Drawings
Antiquariaat Arine van der Steur
Research & Archive
RKD – Netherlands Institute for Art History
Experience built inside collections,
exhibitions and the market
For over fifteen years, I have worked with drawings, prints and historical manuscripts. My background has been shaped at the intersection of academic research, curatorial practice, and the antiquarian trade — three dimensions rarely combined in a single professional profile.
I obtained my PhD at Leiden University with a dissertation on the decorations in seventeenth-century secular cantata manuscripts: a sustained effort in attribution, technical analysis and provenance reconstruction, carried out across archives and libraries throughout Europe.
As curator of the Ton Koopman Art Collection since 2010, I handle cataloguing, conservation, loan management and exhibition organisation. I know every work in the collection — and the method required to manage every aspect of it.
In parallel, years of work at an antiquarian dealership specialising in Old Master prints and drawings have given me a direct understanding of the market: description, valuation, catalogue production and sales management. To this, I add experience in provenance research — including collaboration with the Looted Art Commission in London — and in managing complex databases at the RKD, the Netherlands Institute for Art History.
Today, I offer these skills to those who wish to navigate the world of works on paper with the confidence that comes from independent, method-driven advice.
Every engagement begins by listening to the client’s needs and unfolds with the rigour of a scholarly approach applied to market realities.
I. Acquisition advisory
I support collectors and buyers in selecting Old Master drawings and prints, assessing quality, attribution, condition and price consistency. Independent technical guidance — before and during purchases at galleries or auctions.
II. Evaluation of inherited works
For those who have inherited drawings, prints or graphic collections and wish to understand their historical, attributive and market value. A thorough analysis that distinguishes the scholarly asset from the commercial one, with clear guidance on available options.
III. Collection building
Defining a coherent collecting strategy, identifying acquisition opportunities and progressively building a collection with historical and qualitative purpose. A long-term path, grounded in market knowledge and the collector’s vision.
IV. Provenance research
Provenance investigation for works on paper: reconstructing ownership history, verifying collector marks and annotations, cross-referencing international databases. An essential service for market transparency and the protection of cultural heritage.
V. Collection management
Professional stewardship of existing collections: cataloguing, condition reporting, conservation planning, museum loan coordination and exhibition logistics. From storage to display, with a curatorial method throughout.
Listening
Understanding the client’s needs, objectives and context. Every engagement begins with dialogue.
Analysis
Examination of the work or collection: attribution, technique, condition, comparison with the literature and international databases.
Research
Provenance verification, cross-referencing with archival sources, auction records and specialist resources such as the RKD.
Assessment
A judgement grounded in technical expertise, market knowledge and comparative analysis. No approximate estimates.
Delivery
A clear, documented report with actionable recommendations. The client receives a decision-making tool, not an impression.
Anna Bianco 