You have probably seen (mostly in movies) people who give millions for an art piece. Auctions are for elites mostly, and competition is high. There is only one Van Gogh. There is only one Picasso. Is that Frida Kahlo painting already in somebody’s private collection, or is it bound to stay in museums?
Art has a price, both physical and emotional. It is also an investment. From time to time, you will hear that some stolen painting has reappeared after being stolen 40 years ago from a family home or even a museum. There are many paintings, sculptures, yet to be discovered. Also, what is considered art, and how has it progressed until this day? We will dive into the
psychology of stock trading a bit and see what’s it all about.
Art trading community
Art collectors are unique in many ways. Some want to prevent it from disappearing completely, while others don’t care so much about the artist or their value for society, but rather how others will look at it when they stop by their home. Some would give their last penny for a specific piece while others consider it another accessory in their home. This is one of the differences, but they are all special because they preserve art, one way or another.
How was it before, and how is it now?
It’s still a fact that many “artwork” that is considered artifacts are part of private collections, and we don’t even know about many of them. Let’s take, for example, Egyptian pyramids. When archaeologists found it and decided to explore it, many of them were already half-destroyed by barbarians, robbed by many people who were passing by, and so on. It is highly likely that even archaeologists took some small pieces for themselves to have as memory or entirely something precious. Anything that old has value, whether it is a coin or a doll made out of papyrus. So, back then it was about items of historical personalities or civilizations there are no more (which is the case now as well). Still, looking at the art these days, graffiti is very much art that is very appreciated as well. Take Banksy as an example - a person who tends to make a little revolution and act of rebellion whenever (unexpectedly) their art appears on someone’s random wall on the street. Over the years he progressed and made movies, exhibitions, and stunts. Every prop is of value, but the thing is - Banksy sells nothing. A third person sold many of their works, and the last one was sold for almost 10 million dollars, in October 2020.
How do people decide what’s an art and what to trade?
Specific rules will change over time what art is and what is not, but in the end, it’s all very subjective. Still, items we mentioned will always be of value, and something new and innovative can only be and add to it. Stradivarius violins are a rarity as they were made during the 17th and 18th centuries. You are having a violin-like that can bring you fame or bring you lots of money if you are not interested in keeping it. Art is subjective, but behind it, there always has to be some story that will make it even more special. That’s why there are people who mastered the art of stock trading exclusively in the art department since it is an investment that will never lose its value. If you had a Da Vinci piece, would you keep it or sell it?
