What they do
A private art advisor represents the buyer, not the gallery. Their work covers: understanding the buyer's taste and rooms; sourcing candidate works from galleries, estates, and the secondary market; verifying provenance and condition; negotiating price on the buyer's behalf; and — where relevant — coordinating conservation, shipping and installation.
An advisor is worth engaging when a buyer is spending seriously, is unfamiliar with the market, or does not have time to build the relationships themselves.
How they typically charge
Standard structures in Europe include an hourly or monthly retainer, a flat fee per project, or a percentage of the purchase price (commonly in the 5–10% range, depending on the size of the transaction and the depth of the research). The one thing a genuine advisor does not do is quietly take a commission from the seller. Ask this question directly at the first meeting.
How to find one in Madrid
The Madrid art world is small and personal. The best advisors are usually found by introduction — from a serious gallerist, a museum curator, or an existing collector. A cold search rarely turns up the right relationship. When approaching one, come with a specific brief (a room, a budget, an area of interest) rather than a general enquiry.