To market or purchase paintings successfully, keeping in mind an acceptable growth within the investment portfolio, requires a well founded knowledge of the art market in general and the auction market in particular. Paintings have proven to be an excellent form of investment in the medium to long term – a high risk investment, but a money spinner! With more than forty years experience as art dealers in both the commercial and investment markets, the management of Artistico have all the knowledge at hand to act as your portfolio managers and art advisors.
To simplify, Gallery Artistico have divided the art market into 4 categories:
- Art for investment purpose
- Collectors pieces
- Practicing artists painting for their daily bread
- Decorative art, which in turn can be subdivided into:
- Art for the use of architects and interior decorators and
- Art for use in beautifying homes and for office decorations
The norms and reasons for our classification will not be dealt with in this review. When intending to buy art however, it is important to bear the different styles of paintings in mind, such as realism, impressionism, expressionism, abstract paintings and the many other forms of art on the market, when selecting for your collector portfolio.
- According to the judgement of Gallery Artistico, there are only between 15 to 20 artists who qualify for listing in the investment portfolio. In this market sector, we are only listing artists who on average are selling above R100 000 on auctions.
- For collector’s purposes, we have listed between 40 and 50 artists of whom at least 25 are a must in the collector’s portfolio.
- In the "practicing artists" category, there are hundreds of artists to choose from, but we only list between 50 and 60, amongst whom we think the "future Van Gogh's" will be found. It is of paramount importance to apply the aesthetic principle of Cezanne and his compatriots when making your choice!
- Decorative art can be defined as paintings or reproductions you find pleasing to look at and which speaks emotionally to you, but with little resale value. Do not under estimate the creativity or artistic ability of these artists! For many years the art of Tretchikoff was referred to as "kitch!"
- Tread softly for "cerebral" or "academic" art; applying to the intellect but without emotion! The art of many well-known art academics with mile long CV's are selling at auctions for a fraction of the prices fetched by lesser-known young artists!
In buying art, Artistico shares the view of Lockie Parker who wrote:
"Art provides us with a pleasing background which makes living more gracious: It offers a mode of escape from troubles and limitations ... now and then it gives that particular ecstasy, which is so priceless a quality that there is no standards by which to measure it; some of these rare emotions is only found in the beauty of art, which redeems life from monotony, triviality and futility." A well-known English poet confirms Lockie’s opinion by writing that "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever!" That also applies to decorative art!
The number of paintings exhibited on the Artistico website, is only a fraction to be viewed at Gallery Artistico in George. The website gallery however, is regularly maintained with new paintings as they become available.
- Visitors are encouraged to contact Gallery Artistico at George by e-mail or otherwise, if a broader overview of available stock is required for whatever purpose, be it investment art, collectors pieces or decorative art.
- Full colour depictions of art will be sent by e-mail if requested. Paintings and other forms of art purchased, are shipped overseas or any place in South Africa by courier and will reach their destination in South African within 24 hours.
- Up to date statistical analysis on auction sales, CV's of artists and other forms of advice and support are available to art buyers and investors from Gallery Artistico on request.
- If you are in search of any specific artist for investment or any other purpose, do contact Gallery Artistico, we may just know where to find it. As Dr Albert Wessels put it, the giants have a habit of hiding where you least expect to find them!
Do keep the other services of Gallery Artistico in mind:
- Valuations of your art portfolio for insurance and planning of your estate.
- Art restorations
- The purchasing and selling of art on behalf of clients
- Selling and purchasing of antique
Gallery Artistico is as close to you as an e-mail message or telephone call. George is situated within a few kilometres of a large airport for export purposes and paintings are delivered anywhere in the country within 24 hours of purchase by courier!
Do contact Gallery Artistico now!
