Choosing an artwork · Guide 2026
Portraits and paintings: choosing on place du Tertre
A portrait is a souvenir and an encounter with an artistic practice. Price, style, technique, sitting time and expected result belong in the same discussion. Look at several works by the artist before agreeing. The photograph shows the church beside the square, not artwork offered for sale.
Date listed by the source: 2006-11-22. Resized and converted to WebP. This image does not establish the venue’s present condition.
The short answer
What matters before you go.
Before the first stroke, agree on total price, number of people, technique, dimensions and timing. Ask whether framing and protection are included. This guide has no verified collective portrait tariff: compare proposals directly and clarify what each includes.
Action plan
The route,
step by step.
Times and order are guideposts. Always adapt the visit to crowds, actual access and your group’s energy.
Look at the style
Observe examples without interrupting a sitting. Ask whether they match the technique offered today. A portrait and a caricature can both succeed while meeting different expectations: state yours.
Clarify the commission
State subjects, dimensions, colour or monochrome and available time. With a child, ask whether a long sitting is required or a photograph can serve as a reference. Do not assume all practices work alike.
Identify what is being sold
For displayed work, ask whether it is an original, reproduction or print. Note available information on technique, support and signature. These distinctions help compare like with like.
Prepare transport
Ask how to protect the work during the day and journey home. Do not fold a sheet or place objects on a fragile surface. Retain contact details the artist offers if you want to find their work again.
Useful trade-offs
What really changes the visit.
Respect the work
Ask before taking close photographs of an artist or their creations. Keep space around sittings usable for others.
Buy for the pleasure of looking
Choose a style you enjoy rather than an investment promise. Montmartre’s name alone does not demonstrate resale value.
Practical questions
Before confirming the route.
Is there a uniform tariff?+
This guide offers none. Agree the price with the artist for your specific commission.
Can the artist work from a photo?+
Ask directly. Bring a clear image and obtain the subject’s agreement.
Is a reproduction a poor choice?+
It may suit you; know what you are buying and distinguish it from an original.
Check on the day
Official and practical sources.
Hours, outages, works, prices and access conditions change. For any important requirement, check the relevant source and contact the venue directly.
