The most honest art gallery in the world.
Highlights
How to Buy Fine Art
The Best Way to Buy Fine Art: A Guide for Collectors
Purchasing fine art is more than just a financial transaction—it's an emotional and intellectual investment that reflects taste, personality, and sometimes even historical significance. If you're a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, purchasing fine art can feel like navigating an intricate maze of galleries, auctions, and private dealers. This guide will walk you through the best ways to approach buying fine art and help you make informed decisions that bring aesthetic pleasure.
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Determine Your Intentions and Budget
Before venturing into the world of fine art, it's important to define why you're buying and how much you're willing to spend. At Bedford Fine Art Gallery, we pride ourselves on being the most honest art gallery in the world. Many galleries, auction houses, and private dealers push a particular artist or genre onto their customers and claim to be able to predict a painting's investment potential, for example. We do not push anything onto our customers. We present our customers with over 350 examples of the best fine art from well-listed artists (Hudson River School, White Mountain School, Scalp Level School, French Academic, 19th century British, Contemporary American, etc.) and let our customers fall in love with fine art that catches their eye. We believe that only the customer knows what they truly love; we serve as their guide and propose that our customers buy fine art for personal enjoyment.
• Personal Enjoyment: When buying for personal enjoyment, the primary focus should be on what resonates with you. As Anatole France stated, "In art as in love, instinct is enough."
Having a budget helps avoid overspending. Art prices can range from hundreds to millions, so setting clear financial boundaries helps narrow your search. -
Research and Educate Yourself
The art market is vast and complex, with genres, mediums, and periods ranging from Old Masters to cutting-edge contemporary art. Customers can spend much time educating themselves on art history, artistic movements, and market trends to understand better what they are purchasing. For example, you can research and educate yourself as follows:
• Attend Exhibitions and Art Fairs: Major art fairs like Art Basel, Frieze, and TEFAF showcase a variety of styles and offer a chance to view multiple works in one place. These venues allow you to engage directly with galleries and artists.
• Visit Museums and Galleries: Spend time in museums to familiarize yourself with different art periods and styles. Galleries often represent contemporary artists and give collectors insights into the latest trends.
• Read Books and Follow Art Publications: Subscribing to publications like Artforum, ARTnews, or Art in America will keep you updated on market trends, upcoming artists, and significant auctions.
At Bedford Fine Art Gallery, we have spent 34 years researching well-listed artists and have done the homework for our customers. For example, our biographies of the artists' paintings we sell are the best you will find when searching the internet. About 80% of the time, our knowledge of over 300 well-listed artists ranks in the top 10 on a Google Search. -
Consider the Medium and Genre
Understanding what medium and genre suit your taste and space is crucial. Some of the most common mediums in fine art include:
• Painting: This is the most traditional form of fine art, ranging from oil and acrylic to watercolor.
• Sculpture: A three-dimensional form, often created from bronze, marble, or more modern materials like resin.
• Photography: Limited-edition fine art photography can be a valuable addition to a collection.
• Mixed Media: A combination of materials or techniques, offering a more experimental edge.
• Prints and Drawings: These are more affordable options for collectors who may not have the budget for original works by renowned artists.
For those just starting out, focusing on one medium may simplify the buying process, but as your collection grows, diversifying in terms of genres and media could add depth to it.
At Bedford Fine Art Gallery, we focus primarily on original oil paintings; however, we also have watercolors, gouaches, mixed media, and some sculpture (with an emphasis on original, authentic, one-of-a-kind 19th-century fine art). -
Buy From Reputable Sources
Choosing where to buy art is one of the most critical decisions. People often consider the following avenues:
• Galleries: Reputable galleries provide information on an artist's career and exhibition history and guarantee the artwork's Authenticity.
• Art Fairs: These offer an extensive range of artists and galleries in one location. They are a great place to see what's trending in the contemporary art world.
• Auction Houses: Auction houses like Sotheby's, Christie's, and Phillips offer works by established and emerging artists. While auctions can be exciting, it's essential to do your homework and set a strict budget to avoid overbidding.
• Direct from Artists: Buying directly from artists, especially emerging ones, offers an intimate connection to the work and the artist's vision. It's also an excellent way to support artists early in their careers.
• Online Platforms: Various websites provide a digital marketplace for purchasing fine art from galleries or directly from artists. Ensure you're buying from trusted platforms. -
Check Authenticity
Verifying an artwork's Authenticity and provenance is essential to avoid purchasing forgeries or misattributed pieces. A trustworthy gallery, like Bedford Fine Art Gallery, has the experience and reputation for assuring a customer that a work of fine art is authentic. -
Quality
Unlike many others, Bedford Fine Art Gallery gets our artwork cleaned by professional conservation/restoration experts, so the fine art you purchase from us is ready to be exhibited in your beautiful home from day one. Our experts are the best of the best and have 48 years of experience with both the top collectors and major museums. -
Think Long-Term: Conservation and Storage
After purchasing fine art, proper care is essential to maintain its value and appearance.
• Framing and Display: High-quality framing protects artworks from environmental damage, such as UV light and dust. Ensure the artwork is displayed in a controlled environment with minimal exposure to direct sunlight, humidity, or temperature fluctuations.
• Insurance: Insuring your artwork protects against theft, damage, or loss. Many insurance companies offer specialized policies for art collections.
• Storage: Proper storage is critical if you do not display your art immediately. Climate-controlled storage facilities are ideal for protecting your investment over time. -
Build Relationships
The art world is a community. Establishing relationships with galleries, dealers, and other collectors can open new opportunities, such as exclusive viewings, access to rare pieces fresh to the market, or insider marketing and collector tips. Networking within the art world helps you stay informed on new trends and emerging artists, allowing you to make more educated decisions when buying art. -
Don't Rush: Patience is Key
It's important not to rush the process, especially when buying for emotional satisfaction. Unlike auction houses (with relatively quick-timed events) or other galleries, Bedford Fine Art Gallery serves as your guide in finding beautiful fine art that pleases now and for many years to come. We respect our customers' decisions and, as stated above, believe only the customer knows what they love.
Buying fine art is a blend of passion, knowledge, and strategy. By setting clear goals, educating yourself, buying from reputable sources, and taking care of your collection, you can build a collection that pleases you, your family, and your friends and enhances your living space. The process of buying fine art should be thoughtful and deliberate, leading to years of enjoyment.
230 South Juliana St.
Bedford PA 15522
Phone: 724-459-0612
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