Appraisals: Trusted. Educated. Experienced.

Artemis is one of the most trusted art appraisal and advisory firms in the Washington, DC area – highly respected for its credibility and thoroughness. Founder and President Sandra Tropper offers clients the benefits of her in-depth knowledge of the art market and many years of experience in the appraisal profession. She received her designation from the American Society of Appraisers as an Accredited Member in 1994 and Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in 1994. In 2018 she became an FASA, a member of the College of Fellows.

Artemis provides the following Art Appraisal services:

Art Appraisal Services

  • Preparation of appraisal reports for insurance coverage; for damage and loss claims, for estates for tax filing and probate; for non-cash charitable contributions and gifts for tax preparation; for bankruptcy and property division
  • Evaluation of personal and corporate collections for inventory, acquisitions and disposition
  • Evaluation and valuation of collections for estate planning and investment
  • Preparation of collection inventories
  • Collection management
  • Appraisal review
  • Litigation support for various intended uses

As an independent appraiser, Ms. Tropper prepares all appraisals and her practice is in compliance with the rules and standards of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)* and in adherence to all federal regulations. Her objective perspective allows her to provide clients with impartial opinions and independent conclusions.

The Research and Analysis Process for Appraisals

The research process can involve online searches, use of Artemis’ extensive in-house library of reference works and periodicals, the research facilities of the Washington area’s national art institutions, and proprietary, subscription databases.

In addition, Artemis’ resources include the network of expert sources (authorities, galleries, dealers, other appraisers) with a wide range of specializations, established during Ms. Tropper’s 25-plus-year professional career.

Communication of the Appraisal

After completing the research and analysis and concluding values, the appraisal can be communicated to the client in a written or oral format, depending on the intended use of the appraisal. (For example, appraisals for insurance coverage, submission for tax filings, or property division are communicated in written reports.)

1 The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice is revised and promulgated every two years by The Appraisal Standards Board, a part of The Appraisal Foundation, the organization sanctioned by Congress to provide standards for appraisal assignments.

The Appraisal Report

  • Appraisals are NOT a letter with a value conclusion.

An integral part of the appraisal report is the explanation of the methodology used to conduct the research and investigation into the market and the principles on which the values are based.

  • An appraisal report is NOT just an inventory with numbers.

Instead, an appraisal is a document that provides intended users of the appraisal report with background information on the property, the maker or artist, the style, and the historical context of the artwork. This information provides some of the justification for an appraiser’s value conclusion.