ABSTRACT

The Evolution of Contemporary Arts Markets looks at the historical evolution of the art market from the 15th century to the present day. Art is both an expression of human creativity and an object of economic value and financial refuge at times of economic turbulence. Historically, the art market evolved with the development of capitalism, finance and technical change, and art schools responded to social events such as wars, revolutions and waves of democratization.

The author discusses the main features of modern art markets such as complexity in art valuation, globalism, segmentation, financialization, indivisibility, liquidity and provenance issues. The book studies the impact of wealth inequality and economic cycles and crises on the art market and features a chapter focusing specifically on the art market in China.

This accessible publication is ideal for a broad, interdisciplinary audience including those involved in the economic and financial fields as well as art lovers, art market participants and social and cultural scholars.

chapter 1|7 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|16 pages

The art market in historical perspective

chapter 3|12 pages

The art sector in China

Traditional, Maoist and globalized periods

chapter 4|20 pages

Main features of the art market

What is art? How to value it? How art trade is organized?

chapter 5|9 pages

Recessions, financial crises and war

Impact on the art sector

chapter 7|11 pages

Investing in art as protection against economic turbulence

Prices in the cycle 1998–2018

chapter 8|6 pages

Synthesis and public policy issues