Masterpieces just around the corner

Upon entering Addison Fine Arts at Jackson and Buchanan, one might reasonably wonder: What are paintings of this quality by artists of this caliber doing in a neighborhood gallery?

They are, in fact, part of gallerist Steven Platzman’s mission to enrich the cultural holdings of the city. He aims to do that by placing significant works of art in San Francisco collections, with the intention of seeing them ultimately donated to the Legion of Honor, the de Young or the Museum of Modern Art.

It is an audacious goal, but one that Platzman is realizing here in our own backyard — and his, since he lives above his gallery, which operates by appointment. He has sold paintings by Monet, Cezanne, Morandi and other blue-chip artists — including Boudin’s “Harbor at Trouville,” above — in the eight years he has been quietly operating in the neighborhood.

“I purposefully chose this location and consciously avoided the downtown gallery district,” he says. “I wanted people to understand that I was doing something very different. I sell and advise people in the purchase of significant things — museum objects, if you will.”

It is also convenient that many buyers for his high-end offerings are in Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights and Sea Cliff.

To visit the gallery, call 776-3206.