Impressionist and Modern Art Private Sales Research Intern job at London Full Time

The Company

Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments, or in one of our more Operational teams, we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 260 year old company, steeped in history, bringing fresh ideas whilst not forgetting our shared values: Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility & Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is inspiring to work with industry leaders across our business.

Why This Role Matters

The successful candidate will support the Private Sales Specialist team within the Impressionist & Modern Art department across all aspects of researching, cataloguing, and preparing artworks for sale. The role requires extensive and meticulous research in close collaboration with Private Sales Specialist and Cataloguers in London and Paris. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple artworks while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and accuracy throughout all aspects of the role.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Conduct in‑depth research on artworks, including authenticity, provenance, bibliography, and exhibition history.

• Assist Specialists and Cataloguers in London and Paris with provenance research, exhibition histories, and additional literature relating to artworks.

• Carry out literature checks and source materials from external libraries and archives.

• Assist Cataloguers with expertise processes.

• Help to prepare selling materials such as fact sheets based on finalized research and hilling sessions.

• Write catalogue essays.

• Responsible for creating and mounting the lot-cards ahead of Private Sale views.

• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date research files and digital records.

• Provide ad‑hoc administrative support to the Private Sales & Business Intelligence teams.

What you’ll bring to the team

• Undergraduate degree in any subject.

• Strong interest in Impressionist & Modern Art.

• Exceptionally strong research experience.

• Familiarity with London and international library resources.

• Strong IT skills with familiarity of all Microsoft packages, particularly Excel.

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to multi‑task effectively.

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.

• Excellent communication skills; fluency in English required, with additional subject relevant languages preferred.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

What’s great about working for us

• 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave

• Christie’s Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 1st Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family

• Additional 1 week’s annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on

• Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that’s important to you

• Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about

• Flexible Fitness Fund – £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable)

• Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues

• Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year)

• Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie’s)

• Private Health Insurance – no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members

• Dental Insurance – (may be extended at personal cost)

• Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months

• Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day

• Employee Assistance Programme – access to personal advice and support services including counselling

• Eyecare vouchers (once a year)

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Christie’s Extras – discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops

• Seniorcare by Lottie, a comprehensive eldercare solution

• Robust family first policy:

Ø 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave

Ø Eligible to return to work for 80% of your agreed normal weekly working pattern while being paid as though you were working 100%, post a minimum of 16 weeks of leave

Ø Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year

Ø Christies Family Network: Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…

*Christie’s reserves the right to change company benefits at any time

Closing Date: Monday 1st June

Salary: £26,936 per annum

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