10 Misconceptions About the Art Market

The art market and its pretenses

1 “It’s intimidating!”

Passing through the doors of a gallery is not an easy step for everyone. Often caricatured as a place with a heavy or even stilted atmosphere, the representation that we have of a gallery, in general, prevents us from taking the plunge to dare to deconstruct our preconceptions. We have all apprehended at least once the haughty look of a gallery owner or other visitors. If indeed, we sometimes have this impression, it is quite simply that the commissions made for each sale are added to the gallery owner’s salary. Therefore, the latter is more interested in a potential buyer. But don’t get me wrong, these contemporary art enthusiasts are always happy to let you know about an artist’s work they are exhibiting. So don’t hesitate to ask them for information on a work that catches your eye.

2 “It’s a sport of billionaires”

When we hear about a Picasso sold for 125 million euros, a Cézanne for 190 million euros, or even a Gauguin for 265 million euros, it is easy to draw hasty conclusions on these eccentric billionaires who spend excessively. However, these are unique cases that make the headlines due to their extravagance! Many received ideas circulate about collectors, nonetheless, there are endless amateur art lovers, passionate and curious, with budgets, most often, limited.

3 “It’s too expensive for me”

Wrong! If it’s true that Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, and JM Basquiat are sold for a fortune, they represent less than 1% of the art market. The vast majority of works are sold at less than 3,000€ and you can find unique works from 100€! Discover Artsper’s selection of affordable works!

4 “The artists are already rich enough!”

Ok… Damien Hirst has a fortune estimated at more than $400 million. But stop dreaming, more than 90% of artists don’t live off their work. And only 5-6% of artists were able to live all their lives for their art without interruptions.

5 “It is impossible if one doesn’t live in Paris-London-New York!”

False for two reasons: first being that there are galleries in nearly every large city. Check Google Maps! The second is that with sites like Artsper, you can buy from any gallery in the world from the comfort of your couch!

6 “It is very uncertain, you never know if the artist will gain value!”

And fortunately! If it had ever been possible to anticipate an artist’s success, the artists would never take the risk and would conform to a wise algorithm instead… And suddenly art would cease to exist or become insignificant. Therefore, do not try to anticipate your return on investment, and be guided by your emotions and instinct.

7 “It’s like saving money!”

Yes and no… It’s true that some highly regarded artists have a chance to grow in value which attracts collectors that invest merely financially. But it doesn’t work consistently since the artist’s odds to become successful can drop at any moment! In the ’90s, for example, a group of artists of the YBA (Young British Artist) movement served as a hold-up on the art market (notably Julian Schnabel and David Salle), with prices even higher than Andy Warhol. Today, they amount to 1/20 of Andy’s value!

8 “I could make it myself rather than spending a fortune!”

Well done! The work will have no value, but if it gives you many emotions, there’s no need to deny it… A certain John Czupryniak has also experimented. Revolted because the Museum of Ottawa bought Barnett Newman’s bi-chromatic canvas (only 2 colors painted in wide strips) for $1.8 million, that house painter decided to redo the work identically, and sell it for $400. A beautiful secondhand work!

9 “A work must be seen before being bought”

There are two sides to everything… Although many collectors have already adopted the habit of buying the work via catalog and telephone. Because today, due to photographic quality, screen resolution, print quality, etc., the effect is almost the same. Furthermore, 68% of collectors claim that they have already purchased online

10 “The market corrupts works of art”

Let’s stop with the image of a bohemian artist who will be recognized only after his death and for whom money is secondary. This non-commercial, romantic vision is no longer valid. Whether it is good or bad, is not the issue. It is reality and to see art as something that doesn’t sell is more of naivety than a dream…