An art appraisal is often needed for investment art work, it helps with insurance purposes, for the liquidation for an estate or simply to value an artwork prior to it being sold at Art Auction.

Additionally, an art appraisal may take place simply to determine the condition of an artwork. For this reason often someone who works in art appraisal will also work as an Art Restorer. Most art appraisers tend to also specialise in one area of art or antique, such as 19th Century paintings, Porcelain or Antique Furniture.