According to data collected from Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2024, worldwide art sales reached $65 billion in 2023. Buying art is becoming increasingly popular; the art market is seeing an uptick in the number of people investing in paintings, sculptures and other works of art.



How to buy art?



The art market represents a large sector of monetary exchange, notably in Europe and Asian countries such as China. The United States accounts for 35% of the art market.

The art market brings together a wide array of buyers and sellers that are not always specialists and connoisseurs. While there are many professionals operating in this sector (artists, collectors, auction house managers, art galleries, museums, foundations, antique dealers, art merchants, patrons, private banks, etc.), an increasing number of non-professional individuals are taking an interest, buying art and investing in paintings, limited-edition prints, sculptures and photographs.



Places to buy art – online and in person

Getting started in the art world is easier than you might think. All you need to do is go to specific places that will open up unsuspected horizons and opportunities for buying art:

- Online sites,

- Art galleries,

- Auctions,

- Art fairs,

- Sales at artist’s studios.

In order to familiarize yourself with the process of finding good investment pieces we highly recommend that you try visiting fine art venues such as museums, exhibitions, galleries or contemporary art gatherings.

There are no predefined rules when it comes to choosing and buying a work of art.  Investing in a painting is above all a matter of taste, passion and emotion, depending on your personality. It's a deeply personal process. It's important to set a budget that you'll stick to. Selecting a piece by an emerging artist can be a good investment as its value might increase over time.

The art market is separated into so many different genres and media (ancient art, primitive art, classical art, modern art, contemporary art, etc.). However modern art and especially contemporary art are considered the most profitable sectors, as we'll see in the second part of this article.



Buying art: Primary and Secondary markets

You’re sure to come across the terms primary and secondary markets.

The primary market is where works of art are sold after they are created by the artist. The secondary market deals with any subsequent re-sales, whether through a dealer’s private transaction or at auction. The price then fluctuates according to supply and demand.

The second market generally refers to auction sales. This is the most lucrative market.



Why should you make an investment like buying a painting?



Investing in art not only allows you to enjoy something visually, buying a work of art is also a financial investment. Often these investments are greater than those seen in traditional financial markets such as the stock market or real estate.

Since the 1990s, art investment data has been on an upward curve. This reflects the fact that an increasing number of individuals are diversifying their investments.



Buy a painting and diversify your investments

Buying art is an excellent way to diversify your portfolio. Purchasing works of art can allow you to spread your investments to cut your losses while enjoying a tangible asset that is likely to appreciate in value.

Investing in art does not tie you to financial markets, unlike buying shares in the stock market. Buying a painting allows you to invest money that is in no way dependent on economic fluctuations, guaranteeing total protection against potential financial crises. Like gold, art can be considered a safe haven in this respect.

Furthermore, investing in a painting by leasing or rent-to-buy programs have become increasingly popular in the professional sector as well as with self-employed individuals, due to the tax exemption possibilities it offers.



The boom in contemporary Art

Investing in a painting can generate an average annual return of 25%. These figures, measured since the early 2000s, are well above those of the S&P 500, the benchmark index of the American stock market.

Buying art as a means of investment is becoming exponentially popular. The contemporary art market now accounts for almost half of all art trading worldwide. It's the market with the highest sales volume and value with the highest growth.

Digital art, notably created with blockchain and NFT technology, has become wildly popular. This phenomenon could ultimately change the face of contemporary art.



Investing in a painting using an online platform should not be underestimated!

Today, online art sales are a more than credible alternative to classic brick-and-mortar art venues. Online galleries are growing steadily in number and now account for more than $10 billion, or 18% of total art market sales. Be sure to do some detective work to ensure that the site you are using is reliable. Artalistic is one of the leading websites for buying art and paintings from reputable artists!



Voilà, we hope that you have learned more about buying and investing in art and will feel more confident about the process. Feel free to browse our online galleries to explore paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, lithographs and limited edition prints by renowned contemporary artists and emerging artists.