How To Locate Art Dealers That Can Help You Build Your Art Collection

By Dorothy Ranger

Why Art Dealers Are Very Different Than Art Galleries

If you are interested in artwork, chances are that you have considered building a collection. There are differences between art galleries and art dealers and keeping these differences in mind can help you when deciding who you want to work with. Buying art, even for an investment, is as much a personal choice as it is a monetary investment. Here is a look at the difference between a gallery and a dealer and this may help you make the decision about which one you want to work with.

An art gallery can be a great way to learn about art, as can an art dealer. However, keep in mind that an art dealer often has a very focused viewpoint when it comes to artwork. A gallery can give you information about the esthetics of a piece while an art dealer will often focus more on the relative monetary worth of a particular piece. Consulting with both can give you a very well rounded perspective on artwork in general.

Art dealers often have websites that you can look at to get a feel for what they are offering. They may not often have prices listed but many sites will have glossary sections where you can learn a little about art in general. You should also visit galleries in your area to get acquainted with the local art scene and learn more about art as well.

One thing that you need to remember about building an art collection is that you should not choose pieces just for their value. Artwork is meant to be enjoyed so picking pieces just because you think that they are going to become valuable but that you do not like is a waste of money. This is true more of private art collections than it is of corporate art collections.

The choice of an art dealer over a gallery tends to be more obvious when building a corporate art collection. A corporate art collection is less about personal taste and more about conveying information about the company. A very traditional company is much less likely to fill offices and board rooms with very modern art. They are more interested in the value of the collection as well since artwork is often a sizable investment for a company. Many people will be viewing the pieces that are selected rather than enjoying it in the comfort and privacy of their home.

Magazines and the internet are two good sources for both art dealers and galleries. You should visit them, either online or in person in order to view the pieces in person. You should also realize that a gallery or dealer has more artwork on offer than those pieces that may be out on display. You may also want to make sure that you are looking at a dealer or a gallery that has pieces in a range of prices rather than just high end art. This can be especially true if you are purchasing pieces for a private collection, since a private collector may have less money to deal with than a corporation might.

You should also look at purchasing original artwork whenever possible. There are high quality prints and reproductions that can maintain or even increase their value, but they are rare. While reproductions can be very nice so that you can have a piece you might otherwise be unable to afford, there is nothing that can compare to original art.

You want to make sure that you find an art dealer that you work well with because chances are you will be working with them for quite some time. You may want to make sure that you are dealing with an art dealer rather than an art gallery. An art gallery tends to want to promote the artists they represent and may not be aware of the relative value and investment potential of artwork. An art dealer should have an idea about the art market and can give you advice that will help increase the value of your collection.

An art collection can be wonderful. It is a beautiful way for you to decorate your home and can become quite valuable over time. The only problem may be that when it comes time to sell the pieces on, you love them so much you won't want to see them go. - 30520

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