Thu. Mar 28, 2002
Drained of Art
Drained of Art (via dangerousmeta) – I used to hear that land was a great investment, because they’re not making it anymore. Apparently the same is true of traditional art: "Call it the endgame of the traditional art market. A 300-year long phase of Western cultural history, during which the paintings, the sculptures and the objets d’art of earlier times were avidly collected by hosts of connoisseurs, is slowly winding down. Supplies are simply running out [...] For connoisseurs, the shrinking of supplies means that the basis of their knowledge, which is directly proportioned to the number and diversity of the works they see, is being irrevocably chipped away. For auction houses, the benefit of higher prices, which generate larger commissions, is offset by the rising costs incurred in competing to get goods for sale."
And much of this art has gone into private collections, where it is rarely if ever seen by the public. And they’re not making any more.
Published 06:52PM, Thu, Mar 28 2002
Category: Art
Previous: «« Grandpa Osterhaus ««
Next: »» Uncle Fix-It »»
Peanut Gallery
Recent Comments
- Stanley (Is That Really Amish?)
- John (Falcons Explode Expectations)
- mark (Is That Really Amish?)
- Jessica (Is That Really Amish?)
- Reid (Grandpa is Once Again Astounded By The Interwebs)
- elburro (Grandpa is Once Again Astounded By The Interwebs)
ReidStott.com
Photography
by Reid Stott
A decade of web design experience. Two decades of photography experience. All available to you, and your project. View my portfolio online, then let's talk about your needs.ReidStott.com
I would not worry about the Masters being sequestered in private collections. This only lasts one generation - when Grampa dies, and Junior has to choose between paying the inheritance taxes by selling the yacht or selling Grampa's beloved Rembrandt, they hit the market again. Public museums will have another crack at them, and the big money ones like the Getty will get the real treasures.