The world of art is notoriously difficult to navigate.
Even the most well-versed art enthusiasts can get lost in the maze of private buyers, hidden sales, and mysterious disappearances of priceless works of art. If you go to an auction, you’ll be immersed in a world where millions of dollars change hands and individual pieces sell for outrageous amounts.
That said, it shouldn’t stop you from starting your own art collection. You don’t need a million dollars or a degree in art history to be a collector.
Considering beginning your own personal art collection? Anna Tietze, an art historian and published author, has compiled some helpful hints for newcomers.
Educate yourself by reading up on the topic.
Learn to keep up with new and latest trends in the field of art. Find out who the up-and-coming artists are and keep tabs on what’s selling well and for how much in the art market.
Tietze advises, “Go along to the auction sales, initially just as an observer to see how they work.” To know which artists are worth your money, you should research the best art galleries and dealers in your area and talk to them about your budget.
As a result, seek the advice of those whose job it is to know in and out of the art world and educate yourself accordingly.
One alternative is to seek the advice of an expert in the field of art. Find out how an art advisor can help you amass a collection you’ll love for years to come.
Pay attention to what matters.
You can certainly make your collection cohesive without a central theme. But it could be useful to decide early on what time period or aesthetic you want to emphasize (such as modern art, pop art, etc).
Consideration must also be given to price.
Do you plan to amass a small number of expensive items or expand your collection with more affordable pieces?
“The trend of contemporary art collecting is definitely for works by living artists or for those of the relatively recent past, from the late 19th century at the earliest,” says art historian and curator Tietze. “Old masters” artwork is extremely scarce because most of it is already in private or public collections.
The alternative is to choose artists who are no longer mainstream. To illustrate, consider Amadeo Modigliani. His “reputation among art historians and critics has not been particularly prominent” until recently. His works have increased in value to over $100 million.
Follow your own judgment.
You can buy art based on your personal preference or on the assumption that it will increase in value over time. If you want your art collection to truly reflect who you are, make decisions based on your emotions rather than your rational mind.
