Purchasing Fine Art
Art collectors have many options to purchase fine art- either in person or online. Many art dealers will offer
personal consultancy for your home or business to help you select, purchase and display the selected pieces.
 Purchasing Art Online
Christie's introduced its Christie's Live online bidding system in 2006. It allows people to register the day before
most auctions and participate in a multimedia display of the auction. Online bidders compete against telephone bidders and those
attending the auction in person.
Sotheby's Holdings offers online bidding for select Sotheby's New York auctions through Ebay's Live Auction system.
Bidders must register with Ebay Live Auction at least two days before the event.
Tips for Smart Art Buying
Buying an Emerging Artist - Some of the biggest gains in prices are made from owning works from artists who rise in popularity. Since a true
"nobody" isn't likely to rise to stardom, collectors look for artists with an attractive, although short, resume. Good signs are that the artist
graduated from a top art school and has already exhibited at art fairs known for their style.
Buying an Emerging Market or Category - For instance, with China and much of Asia becoming more popular, collectors are
moving on to markets like South Korea and Southeast Asia.
Find a Bargain - Easier said than done, especially in today's market. However, some good places to look are lesser known
or newer art fairs, or charity events. Many smaller art fairs have popped up, especially surrounding the bigger art fairs. Without as
many hungry buyers, you may be able to find a better deal. With charity events, there are several opportunities. One is that many of the
art pieces have been donated for free, so the suggested price may be low or there may be no minimum at auction. Other charity events may
be structured as raffles or grab bags that allow you to buy a ticket with a high chance of ending up with a valuable
piece.
Renting Art
Renting art for specific events or for long-term decoration is becoming more popular. Many public companies, for
instance, have been selling off their private collections and instead hiring firms to fill their spaces on an as needed basis.
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