The Art of Collecting Art

Art of Collecting ArtWorks of art such as paintings and sculpture reflect the mind and soul of the artist. In the history of human civilization, great artists were not only able to capture their own thoughts and feelings through art, but also the significant signs of their times.

Artworks are objects or artifacts of visual communication. Just look at any picture of Leonardo da Vinciʼs painting La Gioconda, also known as Mona Lisa, and one can derive information such as the way women dress during the 16th century, or perhaps, by looking at the paintingsʼ background, on can gain insights on how places look during that period. Paintings and sculptures, being the top mediums of artistic expression, are products and end-results of the artistʼs creative process.

The motivation and drive in collecting art is as diverse as the colors present in any painting. Among the top reasons for collecting art is usually attributed to the thrill, the excitement and sheer pleasure of acquiring an exquisite drawing, painting, or sculpture to add to oneʼs own personal collection. In general, artworks are seen as luxury products and commodities whose price and value in the art market are dependent on factors such as aesthetics, quality, supply, historical significance of the artist and the artwork, all of which contribute to what makes certain pieces of art collectible and highly prized.

Most professional art collectors and dealers are always on the move, looking for artworks of young and relatively unknown artists, which they think, have the potential to make it big in the future. Buying works of art at a relatively lower price and selling them at a profit has been a standard in the art market. However, to have the foresight and the eye to spot good art usually takes time, money, and lots of experience. According to art market analyst Nicholas Forrest: “As a general rule people should invest in high quality artworks by artists with a good track record that have proven to be committed to their career progression. If you are going to be hanging the artwork in your house then it is also important to purchase something that you like looking at although this should not be the primary deciding factor. The art market will always react positively to iconic, high quality artworks as these works will be the most desirable and the most in demand.”

On the other hand, like in any other hobby and interest, practically anyone can start collecting art. Herb Vogel, a retired postal worker, together with his wife Dorothy, a retired librarian, are both passionate art collectors and through the years have amassed more than 4,000 historically significant works of American art with their modest income. Their art collecting habits were grounded on two rules: affordability and size that is small enough to fit their one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. In the Vogelʼs case, the primary impulse for collecting is based on an intuitive love for art rather than for financial investment and profit. Jack Cowart, a curator for the National Gallery of Art, sums up the Vogelʼs path towards art collecting: “They went to art that was very difficult for the general public to understand; to artists who had no money, who were on the front edge of the avant-garde. It was all done for love, at whatever price, at whatever cost, even if it displaced them from their own apartment.”

The art of collecting works of art is a product of passion, commitment, and vision. From the rich and famous high-profile art collectors to the passionate amateurs, once bitten by the art bug, there is no way but to keep on expanding oneʼs own collection. For the serious and the brave, collecting works of art has become a lifetime project where each purchase and acquisition has its unique story behind it. Thus, in this viewpoint, one can best appreciate the priceless beauty of owning a collection of artworks. One of the worldʼs top art collectors, Charles Saatchi would say: “Art is no investment unless you get very, very lucky, and can beat the professionals at their game. Just buy something you really like that will give you a thousand pounds' worth of pleasure over the years. And take your time looking for something really special, because looking is half the fun”.

by Natasha Silverman