It’s very difficult for an untrained person to understand the value of a piece of artwork just by looking at it. What seems pleasing to the eye could be worth very little, while some very simple or chaotic pieces could command extremely high price tags. The more valuable fine art pieces require specific and careful consideration when shipping. Shipping fine art is a specialty that should be left to professionals.
What determines the price of a piece of art?
Like all goods that are bought and sold, the price is determined by supply and demand. Some artists are in very high demand by collectors, and a single person can only paint so many pieces on their own. Bear in mind that a person wanting to own a piece of artwork can only purchase ones that are currently for sale, which is sometimes only one at any given time or even none.
What makes the works of a given artist more in-demand or valuable? Some of the determining factors are the exhibition history of the artist’s works, the price history of the prior sales of their artwork, the career and fame of the artist and the size of the piece. The artist might also raise the price of a piece if there were some high production costs involved in creating it.
The place where you buy a piece of art also affects its value. If you attend an exhibit at one of the world’s most renowned galleries or museums, the price is bound to be much higher. Other factors are current buying trends and tastes. If a particular artist’s style seems to be the current trend in the market, their art can go at a higher price tag. If an artist is seen as the next possible celebrity on-the-rise, many people might seek out their art in anticipation of a big return on investment, and the rising demand will drive up the price.
For artists who have been deceased for decades or centuries, their place in art history plays a large role in the value of their works. Collectors also place higher value on works that are easily recognizable as such when they’re hanging on the wall.
How is art shipped?
If you have to transport some treasured paintings, your method of art shipping has to be taken into consideration. Your artwork could be worth millions, but if it arrives in tatters, it becomes practically worthless.
When shipping valuables, especially art, you must anticipate that mistakes and mishaps are likely to happen and plan to protect your art when these things occur. When shipping artwork, it is advisable to hire professionals who are experienced in art shipping. If your artwork is framed, you may need to have a custom-built wooden crate to house the art and wrap it in bubble wrap to protect the glass and delicate frame from bumps and motion in the vehicle.
If you are transporting unframed artwork, make sure no hands or skin directly touch the art. Wear cotton gloves, and wrap the art in acid-free tissue paper. It’s also good to wrap the art in plastic to protect from moisture or water damage. Sandwich the art between pieces of cardboard and tape them securely shut. If the artwork is being transported with other household belongings, mark it clearly as fragile.
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