Art That You Should Buy Now And Sell Later

In 1982, Jean-Michel Basquiat produced one of his most striking street art-inspired paintings. In 1984, it was sold to an unknown bidder at $20,900. Thirty three years later, in 2017, it was sold at auction for an immense $110,000,000. If there’s one lesson to be learned from the contemporary art world, it’s that the learned collector is no stranger to a lucrative investment. The value of an artwork is subject to many different factors. These include the artist’s notoriety, whether or not the artist is still living and, crucially, the inflation of the market over time. Today, we are sharing our best tips to buying art that you can sell later, including interior decor pieces and works by digital artists!

1. Rising stars

Of course, the notoriety of an artist can have a great impact on the valuation of their work. If an artist is quickly gaining traction in the market, this will be reflected positively in the estimated value of the work of theirs that you’ve bought. For example, if an artist wins a contemporary award like the Turner or Duchamp Prize. In the spirit of anticipating market trends, we’ve got our eye on some real talent emerging in the world of contemporary art. You might begin your search in the field of digital art, an increasingly popular contemporary style.

In 2022, the story of BEEPLE’s record-breaking sale of a JPG file for $69 million hit global headlines. This sale embodied the monumental impact of digital works on the contemporary art market. We are loving the work of Valentin Pavageau, whose hypnotic and otherworldly landscapes have us feeling like we’re dreaming! Equally, Sabrina Ratté’s highly innovative virtual reality pieces encapsulate the daring spirit of the contemporary digital art world. You can also find more up and coming artists by using the “New and Remarkable Artists” filter on our site!

2. One in a million

When the time comes to sell your artwork on, another key factor which directly affects the piece’s valuation is its rarity. The general rule is that the more rare an artwork is, the higher its valuation can be estimated at. So, if you buy a print for example, you’ll want to consider how many copies of this print are already in circulation, or if your print is an artist’s proof edition. If you buy a painting, ask yourself how many works by that artist are available for purchase in the market. If you buy a sculpture, think about whether or not it is a one-of-a-kind piece.

Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj, for example, releases his colorful photography compositions in limited editions. This means that you could be one of only 10 people in the world to own an image by this artist! Similarly, there are only 300 copies of Shepard Fairey’s iconic print Hostile Takeover available for purchase. When it comes to art investment, the artwork’s rarity is one of the most important factors to consider!

3. A word to the wise

The recent proliferation of digital sales channels (such as online marketplaces and auctions) have made it easier than ever for collectors to make tailored and well-informed art purchases. For example, if you buy an artwork from Artsper, you have the opportunity to resell this piece on our platform. This is after two years’ ownership. As long as your appraisal of the piece corresponds to the artist’s Artsper rating, and you have the certificate of authenticity, you’re good to go! You can also find master artists selling their works at a discounted price. Why not get a great deal on an artwork, while still benefiting from the reputation of the artist when it’s time to sell the piece on?

Ready to find the perfect artwork?

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this whistlestop tour around some of the big names in contemporary art at the moment. There are tools available to you on the Artsper website to help you when it comes to buying art now and selling it later! And you, what are your top tips when it comes to art investments?