Meeting Art

About Meeting Art

Meeting Art is one of the most significant auction houses in Italy, holding a prominent position in the national art market in terms of both volume and turnover. Based in Vercelli, a historic city in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, the firm has built a formidable reputation over more than four decades for the breadth of its auction offerings, the energy of its sales, and the accessibility of its platform to both seasoned collectors and newcomers.

History

The firm was founded in 1979 by Mario Carrara, an art visionary whose background in gallery management informed his approach to the auction business. Carrara recognized that the Italian auction market was ripe for a firm combining the excitement and transparency of auction selling with the curatorial eye and personal service of a fine art gallery. From the outset, Meeting Art sought to offer a diverse range of material, from Renaissance masterpieces to modern and contemporary works, decorative arts, and luxury goods — a breadth that has been a hallmark of the firm ever since.

Specialist departments

Meeting Art has grown into one of Italy's leading auction houses by volume, conducting dozens of sales per year across an extraordinarily wide range of categories:

• Modern and Contemporary Art — the firm's signature strength
• Old Master Paintings and Drawings
• Antique Furniture and Decorative Arts
• Jewelry and Watches
• Wine and Spirits
• Luxury Accessories
• Rugs and Textiles

The Modern and Contemporary Art department is the engine of Meeting Art's business and reputation, regularly handling works by major Italian and international artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, from the Arte Povera and Transavanguardia movements to current market stars, with results closely followed by the trade.

Selling with Meeting Art

Valuations can be arranged by visiting the Vercelli premises, submitting images online, or requesting a home visit for larger collections. The specialist team provides estimates and advises on the most appropriate sale and timing, and handles all cataloguing, photography, and marketing, with commission rates discussed at the time of consignment. The firm's extensive mailing list and online presence ensure that each sale reaches a broad audience of registered bidders. Ancillary services include valuations for insurance, probate, and estate purposes, with specialists available for collection consultations and advice on market trends and sale timing.

Buying and bidding

Buyers can participate in Meeting Art's sales in person at the Vercelli saleroom, by telephone, by absentee bid, or through the firm's online bidding platform, which enables real-time participation during live auctions and has significantly expanded the buyer base in recent years. A buyer's premium is charged on all lots, with the current percentage disclosed in the conditions of sale.

Locations

The Vercelli location, while less well-known internationally than Milan or Florence, is a strategic choice: the city is well-connected by road and rail to Milan (approximately one hour), Turin, and Genoa, and the lower cost base compared to Italy's major cities allows Meeting Art to offer competitive commission terms while providing ample space for viewing and storage. The auction atmosphere is lively and inclusive.

What sets Meeting Art apart

While some competitors focus on a narrow range of prestige categories, Meeting Art's willingness to handle everything from Old Masters to wine to luxury accessories makes it a one-stop destination for diverse consignments, while its strength in modern and contemporary Italian art gives it specialist credibility in the category that drives the highest prices and greatest collector interest in the Italian market. The auction format is designed to be dynamic and accessible: sales are well-promoted, catalogues are thorough, and the bidding process is transparent. The firm's catalogues are professionally produced with detailed lot descriptions, provenance information, and clear photography, accessible online well in advance of each sale so prospective buyers can research and plan their bidding, with condition reports available on request. This growing online presence has attracted younger collectors and international buyers who might not otherwise engage with a Vercelli-based house, expanding the firm's reach well beyond its Piedmont home base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Meeting Art and when?

Meeting Art was founded in 1979 by Mario Carrara, whose background was in gallery management.

What is Meeting Art's signature strength?

Modern and Contemporary Art is the engine of Meeting Art's business and reputation, including works from the Arte Povera and Transavanguardia movements.

Where is Meeting Art based?

Meeting Art is based in Vercelli, Piedmont, about one hour by road or rail from Milan.