Buying and Collecting
Art on the Web

"Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together."
John Ruskin (1819-1900)

We are now living in a wonderful era for viewing and buying art. The Internet has opened a door to instant access to art works of varying quality and price from all over the world. To the Japanese and Americans it is becoming second nature to look at art on the Internet before purchasing; however, there are certain pitfalls that should be avoided.

When buying art, you must ask yourself; "Do I love it? Does it move me?" Don't buy art because it is going to be worth more in say 50 years. One only has to remember Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema," the painter of the Victorian vision of the ancient world". During his lifetime he was respected as one of the major artists of the day. His works fetched thousands of pounds, and often well over five figures. His clients included members of the British Royal Family and the Russian Imperial Family. Yet, within twenty years after his death in 1912, one would have been hard-pressed to find a buyer for his paintings, and a work that might have commanded £10,000 in his day, could have been picked up for £20. Since the 1960's however, alongside a general resurgence of interest in the best of Victorian art, Alma-Tadema's star has been shining again, and now, more than eighty years after his death, no one would be surprised if a first rate painting fetched Ł1m or more.

A Hearty Welcome

"A Hearty Welcome"

By Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema

Finding "your" artist is the first step in starting your collection. The Web is an ideal place to start this search, and can save you days even weeks of wading through paperwork, and several visits to galleries.

Once you have chosen your favourite work, the next step is to ensure that your chosen piece does not fall to bits, crack drastically, darken to the degree of non-recognition or even change colour.

The key points to watch out for are;

The paint medium (Oils, Acrylics, Watercolours...)

Their choice of colours (some are more prone to fading than others);
For example, where watercolours, pastels, pen and pencil are concerned, there is no oil or varnish to offer protection against ultra violet rays. It is essential to keep these media away from direct sunlight. Fading is actually the result of a chemical change, as the ultra violet wavelengths in the light react with the pigment.
Their choice of paints (some are more durable than others);
For example, recent ageing tests on acrylics have shown that when used properly, they can be a more versatile and durable medium than oils.

The material on which the painting is supported

If canvas, ensure that it is real canvas, by looking at the back of the painting. Real canvas is a greenish dun colour, quite unlike the short-lived cotton, which is white. It is also important that the canvas is properly prepared, prior to painting.
If paper, ensure that it is of a high quality and that it will not fade. Tell tale signs that the paper is not the correct thickness or not prepared properly for the medium used, are buckling and unevenness in the surface.

Other points to keep in mind are;

Always hear the critics but listen to no one

As in everything do not follow the mass, what one person considers junk is another person's gold mine.

Always do your homework

If possible, find out as much as you can about the work and the artist, before contacting the person.

Be selective

Again, as I said in my opening comments, do not buy a work of art just because it has a name associated with it. Having a name does not guarantee that it will grow in value. What makes painting so attractive as a medium is that in the right hands it can express lofty concepts or simple pleasures in an immediate and appealing way. The artist is trying to convey a feeling, a mood or a message; if this has been communicated in such a way that you feel the painting will enrich your life, then that is your first and most important reason for wanting to buy it. However, you must also ensure that it is of a high quality and not damaged in any way.

Upon receipt of the painting, open the box in the presence of the delivery agent and if the delivery agent cannot wait, write in bold letters across the waybill "RECEIVED SUBJECT TO INSPECTION" and then sign it. You must ensure that if you have purchased a work on-line, and you are not completely satisfied upon inspecting it, that you will be able to return it and receive a full refund.

In the end, the best guarantee of the work is to speak directly with the artist. Nine out of ten times an Artist will be more than pleased to discuss their work, and will appreciate your interest.
Simply insist on adequate answers to your questions, and if possible a lifetime guarantee that the work will not change or degrade.

The Internet has the capability of bringing the art community closer together, and if you are lucky enough to find your favourite artist, then stick with them. They will normally exceed your wildest expectations and will almost always give you first choice.

"Art is a human activity which has as its purpose the transmission to others of the highest and best feelings to which men have risen."
Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Copyright shall at all times remain vested in the Author. No part of the work shall be used, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the Author's express written consent.