What Every Art Buyer Should Know
Introduction
Can the way you frame a painting cause damage? Is it better to paint on linen or cotton? How do you know if a painting will crack and flake within the next few years? How can you be certain that the painting you buy won't need costly repairs and retouching?
If you've ever thought of buying a painting, you probably never put much thought into questions like these. But considering that paintings can be some of the most expensive luxury items on the market, ranging from several hundred dollars to millions of dollars, these are vital concerns if you're a collecter who wants to protect your investment.
Many collectors don't realize exactly how fragile and complex a painting really is. Unfortunately, neither do many of today's painters. With awareness of safe painting techniques at an all-time low, modern painters are producing a huge quantity of paintings that simply will not survive the test of time.
Some paintings may be saved through costly conservation and restoration, but many will be impossible to preserve at all. The lifespan of a painting created with proper techniques and materials can be hundreds of years. The lifespan of a painting created with improper materials and techniques can be as short as a few months.
Luckily, anyone who decides to invest in fine art can learn some simple techniques that will help them to avoid badly painted and volatile paintings. With these rules of thumb, you can be much more certain that your fine art investment will be a safe one.
Why is Good Craftsmanship Important?
What is Good Painting Technique?
How a Painting is Put Together
What to Look for when Buying a Painting
