
The Art Collecting Buyer’s Guide
The Art Collecting Buyer’s Guide
Art collectors, also known as art lovers or aestheticians, collect items with a special aesthetic appreciation. An individual collection is generally a private collection of artworks, often hand-collected and/or bought over time. In a gallery or art Gallery context, the word ‘collectible’ indicates that an item is not necessarily owned by that establishment, but rather is on loan from a third person or organization, for the purpose of display or indefinitely. Collections can span multiple areas and can be made of art objects, prints, installations, decorative items, books, etc.
Many modern art collectors are inspired by contemporary artists whose works they appreciate. For example, one prominent UK art collector, Martin Davis, buys mainly famous commercial and art gallery paintings in order to add them to his extensive personal collection. He has a keen eye for what he admires and selects pieces of art for future exhibitions. Some other prominent art collectors include art collectors and dealers Peter Young, Frank Schaeffer and Richard Hamilton.
In terms of the role of art collectors, their wealth is determined by the value of the works they own. In addition, art buyers need to evaluate and select suitable exhibitions, in order to find new and exciting works of art for their collection. In most cases, buying works from reputable dealers and art galleries ensures the highest quality, as these institutions take responsibility for ensuring that their stock of art is well represented and that it reaches art buyers around the world. They also ensure that the works reach the right audience, as the works of art may appeal to different cultures. Some contemporary artists have achieved cult status among art collectors, such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Tom Wesselmann, Jasper Johns and numerous others.
In recent years, many people have entered into art collecting, mostly as a result of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs. As social media provides a platform for artists to express themselves and also to invite fans and followers to buy their works, these platforms have helped art collectors to access the art works of unknown artists and unknown sellers, sometimes at considerable discounts. Art collectors and dealers also rely on online galleries and online art marketplaces, such as eBay, to find artworks for sale. The popularity of social media has resulted in the development of an entire new market for art collectors and dealers. These online venues allow buyers to directly contact artworks sold by artists, thereby avoiding the intervention of an art dealer or art buyer.
Artists who sell their works directly through their websites often have more exposure and credibility than an artist with a personal website. This is because they can take control of the sales process, which helps to eliminate potential errors. For instance, buyers can check the physical condition of the artworks before making a purchase. They can see the buyer’s rating before agreeing to buy a work of art from the artist. Such websites also help art collectors and dealers to keep track of the works they own by providing them with a virtual map of the artist’s whereabouts.
Another important aspect of art collecting is the preservation of paintings. Many artists have begun offering framed works as a part of their art collection; however, some collectors feel that displaying paintings as framed works is outdated. In such cases, these collectors often opt to buy a protective frame for their paintings, either separately or in groups. Painted frames made of wood are the most popular, although there are also those made from metals, plastics and even ceramics. There are numerous styles available for these framed works, depending on the kind of work and the preferences of the artist.