About Julia

Julia Korner is a specialist in fine art conservation and restoration, and frames.  International art dealer, specifically in 18^th and 19^th Century Maritime and Topographical paintings.

Trained originally both as an art historian, sculptress and graphic illustrator at Cambridge, Julia Korner, L.S.I.A.D., left Christie’s auctioneers in 1997 after nearly 20 years in the field as a paintings specialist, with extensive knowledge of Old Masters, of British and Victorian and of European and American paintings of the 18th, 19th and 20th Century.  In 1987 she set up the Maritime Department at Christie’s and built it into the pre-eminent department in the auction world, with sales in London, New York and Amsterdam.

At the same time, she was also involved in conservation, in picture restoration, in the production of classic gilt and gesso frames, and in the conservation of frames, sculpture and garden statuary in her own studio.  In addition she also advises on historic interiors and gilded ceilings / rooms and works on location conserving them.  She also advises museums and private clients on the conservation of their collections. She set up her own business in 1997 to assist clients with all aspects of their collection – conservation, restoration and buying and selling items. She has recently expanded her studio to cover increased demand on the conservation side of her business.

Alongside her existing conservation work she is able to act as an independent agent at auction and to offer clients the individual attention she gave them during her years at Christie’s.  She also offers an intelligence service which covers the events of the London gallery and auction seasons as well as valuation, conservation/framing and research services.

In 1997 she was elected Huntington Fellow of the Mariners’ Museum, Newport News, Virginia, USA;  a seven year commitment, which involved producing the catalogue of this collection for visiting academics (and that of its sister organisation, the South Street Seaport Museum, New York).  She valued it, advised on the condition of the paintings and on sales and acquisitions. The second stage was to assemble an international maritime exhibition on the 18th, 19th and 20th century great Maritime painters of the Dutch, American and British Schools.  It was envisaged that this would travel from New York to Newport News, Virginia, to London and Amsterdam. Very sadly, funding fell through at the eleventh hour so the exhibition itself never took place.

In January, 2001 Julia was approached to curate a major exhibition entitled ‘Yachting and the America’s Cup’. Phillips, the auctioneers, then owned by L.V.M.H., had decided to mount this event to mark the 150th anniversary of the America’s Cup. A full complement of pictures and ephemera from museums, yacht clubs and private collectors from all over the world had been amassed when due to unforeseen circumstances the exhibition was cancelled in May 2001.

She lectures predominantly for NADFAS, Christie’s Education, The Sotheby’s Institute, The National Maritime Museum and to Art Societies at home and abroad.

Julia Korner is an elected member of The British Antique Dealers’ Association, (where she exhibits her pictures each year) The British Association of Paintings Conservator Restorers, The Guild of Arts Scholars, Dealers and Collectors, The Institute of Conservation, The International Institute for Conservation, The Fine Art Trade Guild, The Maritime Information Association, The Museums Association, and The Conservation Consortium.

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8747 1652

Mobile: +44 (0)7771 713 980

Fax: +44 (0) 20 8742 7419