FOCUS : Click And Buy : Collecting Art Online

One of my favourite thing as a blogger is to receive your emails (even mail! One of my Berlin reader found I don’t know how my personal address and sent me a very sweet and arty package). Loads of you are asking me advices about how to explore the artsy sides of Tel Aviv and Brussels, or are simply sharing with me what is going on in their local contemporary art scene, but lately I feel like I became kind of an art adviser as some of you are asking me recommendations about what to buy. The question that comes around the most is “Eva, would you buy art online?“. I noticed that a lot of my followers were looking to acquire pieces of art on the web, and it made me curious to learn more about that business.

In few years, a proliferation of online platforms selling artworks were born despite the fact that people are still quiet reluctant to invest in a piece of art that they didn’t experience in the flesh. However, theses websites are becoming smarter every day, offering professional services and expertise that will reassure the buyers. A lot of galleries are now selling artworks online too, and apparently it is a very fruitful part of their business. Their reputation in the art world make them trustful enough in the eyes of the collectors for them to simply click and buy. The world renown auction house Christie’s is for few years now organising very successfully online live art auctions, as they understood well that buying online is less scary nowadays and have its advantages.

I still can help it to think that the only way for me to invest in an artwork I’ve never seen before, will be the good reputation and the valuable expertise of the art dealer. I will still expect a similar service that I can find in an art gallery or at an art fair, a sense of curation and the feeling that I’m not buying just another pair of shoes online. There is nothing bad at making art accessible to a large audience, internet is a great way to discover artists and to share art. I think that buying online will maybe help people who either don’t have any direct access to an artist that they like, or simply people who are still intimidate by the art world and its codes.

Like I already said to some of you, if you decide to buy online be sure of the legitimacy of the platform, don’t be shy to ask advices and informations about the piece (the dimensions for example, it sounds silly but you could have a bad surprise sometimes) and about the artist even if it is an affordable artwork. Also be sure to make the difference between an original work and a print. Welcoming a piece of art into your home is something you have to put some thoughts in, so even if it is love at first sight be sure of what you are getting.

I listed for you some websites curating and selling affordable and non so affordable art online. Also always check into the websites of the art galleries you like as there is big chances that they will have an online shop. The selection of platforms bellow is of course non exhaustive, and I tried to recommend sites that provide services such as art advisors and curators in order to help you make the right decision.