Intern, Old Masters Paintings

CMW Ltd Company; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Birthday leave

Discretionary Bonus

Private Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Cycle to Work

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension - employer match

Job summary

Christie's in London offers a six-month internship supporting the Old Master Paintings Department, with exposure to specialist research and administrative tasks. The role develops both specialist and organizational skills in a historic 250-year-old art business.

Key duties include researching property for sales, valuing works, assisting during sale weeks, catalogue prep, and coordinating with internal teams. English fluency and strong IT skills are required.

Qualifications

• Interest/knowledge of Old Masters required.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to multi-task and prioritise.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Good research and writing skills; experience with research libraries desirable.
• Good team worker and willingness to help out when needed.

Responsibilities

• Research property for sale, valuations and pricing, and assist specialists.
• Conduct in-depth research on works for upcoming sales, including off-site visits to libraries in London.
• Assist in the warehouse and upkeep of departmental libraries and offices.
• Assist in setting up and maintaining sale views and respond to image and factsheet requests.
• Provide administrative support to Sale Coordinators and liaise with internal departments.

Skills

Old Masters knowledge

Strong organisational skills

Excellent communication

Research and writing

Team player

Calm under pressure

Client-facing experience

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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 250 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

This six month internship will provide day-to-day support to the Old Master Paintings Department, with the potential to develop both specialist and administrative skills.

How You'll Make an Impact

Research/Specialist Support

• Assist specialists in researching property for sale, valuations and pricing
• Conduct in-depth research on works which will be offered in the upcoming sales, sometimes involving off-site visits to external libraries in London (British Library, National Art Library and Tate Library)
• Assist in the warehouse when required.
• Upkeep of departmental libraries and offices.
• Assist in setting up and maintaining sale views.
• Respond to image and factsheet requests, assist Specialist team with client requests during sale week.

Administrative Support

• To support the Sale Coordinators in the day to day running of the Department.
• Liaison with internal departments, including Proposals, Image Editing and Valuations
• Responsible for collecting and distributing post daily, arranging couriers, sending out and binding catalogues
• Maintaining stationery and printing supplies in the Department.
• Assisting Specialists and Sale Coordinator with catalogue preparation.
• Assisting external clients with image copyright requests.

Miscellaneous

• Any other tasks required as and when they arise.

What you'll bring to the team

• Interest/knowledge of Old Masters required
• Strong organisational skills and a demonstrated ability to multi-task and prioritise
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication
• Good research and writing skills, experience with research libraries is desirable
• Good team worker and willingness to help out when needed
• Hard working
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Previous work experience - either paid or voluntary - within the Art Sector.
• Language skills (fluent in English), European language desirable
• Ability to demonstrate client facing experience.
• Strong IT skills with familiarity of all Microsoft packages.

What's great about working for us

• 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave
• Christie's Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec - 2nd 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:
• 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave
• Four‑day week, for eight weeks, at full pay on return from Maternity Leave
• Dependent back‑up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year
• The Stork Club: Our community of parents who meet regular over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea...

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

Salary- £26,936 per annum

Closing date- Sunday 22nd November 2026

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