Press · 2015
Born to Collect
Written by Craig M. Kaminer · Photography by Matt Marcinkowski
St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles
Galleries, dealers, consultants, appraisers and auction houses each play a distinct role in the life of a collector. Most also play a specialized role, appealing only to the subset of collectors interested in a particular genre or ism.
Kodner Gallery in Ladue is different.
For close to 50 years, the gallery has helped St. Louisans cultivate a broad sense of the history of art. Kodner Gallery was founded by the late Martin Kodner and is run by two of his three sons, Jon, 51, and David, 43. When pressed to define their area of expertise, the Kodners would say they are art historians, appraisers and dealers of American and European art of the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. They have particular expertise with historically significant Missouri artists such as George Caleb Bingham (1811-1879), Carl Wimar (1828-1862), Oscar E. Berninghaus (1874-1952), Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975), and Joe Jones (1909-1963).
The brothers' childhood was a treasure hunt of sorts, following their father as he researched, and often discovered, rare works of art in St. Louis and around the world. Today, Kodner Gallery is more like an art museum, with artworks on exhibit and available for purchase. Jon, David and their associates act as curators and docents to their clientele. While the collection's range is daunting — it includes American and European Impressionism, American Western, Regionalism, WPA, Ashcan Group, Hudson River, Post-War Modern and Contemporary paintings, drawings, rare prints and sculpture — the works are as familiar as a college survey class on art history.
Ask either brother about a particular work or artist and he will light up. They have an encyclopedic knowledge of historical facts and can discuss with scholarly precision the quality of the brush strokes, line, light and subject matter. They also have a genuine interest in the viewers' likes and dislikes.
I had the opportunity to see Jon Kodner in action recently. Steve O'Laughlin's firm, Lodging Hospitality Management, renovated Union Station, and his workers had been on the lookout for a long-lost mural of the St. Louis riverfront by acclaimed artist Louis Grell. The work — 7 feet high and 28 feet long — was uncovered in three pieces in a storage closet. Kodner asked for a description of the work, made a brief site visit, and spent a few days doing research. He returned with a complete report of the mural, the artist, the work's history and its value in its current and restored conditions.
As one would expect, the Kodners also identify fakes or misattributed works of art. Jon Kodner is quick to point out that Kodner Gallery always guarantees the authenticity of the works they sell.
"We do business the old-school way. We are not in business for a quick 30- or 60-second sale, such as with auctions. We try to remove the gray area of risk for our clients and warranty the artwork indefinitely. We are happy to offer limited terms for buying or consigning artworks we have sold because we have confidence in the artwork we represent and work with many families across multiple generations."
— Jon Kodner
Kodner cautions collectors that over-exposure in the auction marketplace can limit the investment potential of certain artworks or collections. He recommends private sales whenever possible in order to protect the future integrity of valuable art. If an artwork does sell, there is a specific price that must be adhered to down the road because the previous price is now public knowledge. If an artwork fails to sell or sells for less than its estimated value, putting that information in the public domain can have a negative impact on future value.
The Kodners' love of collecting and, more importantly, the thrill of discovery, is highlighted in Trash or Treasure, a community event which they produce. Just like Antique Roadshow, people come from far and wide to get an independent expert opinion on a wide variety of art, antiques and collectibles. The Kodners bring together more than 20 specialists who donate their time to educate guests.
"It is a fun, informative and educational event that appeals to young and old alike."
— Jon Kodner
Their efforts benefit local non-profit organizations such as The Nine Network of Public Media and the American Parkinson Disease Association.