The Intrepid Art Collector

Book excerpt: Ready to upgrade your artwork from framed Monet posters but intimidated by what you see in galleries? In The Intrepid Art Collector, Lisa Hunter shows you how to start a fine art collection without spending a fortune. This accessible, jargon-free resource contains up-to-date information on the most popular original art—everything from photography and posters to African art and animation—including where to find it and how to buy it at a fair price. Easy-to-use checklists help you evaluate original art and steer clear of clever fakes. In addition, Hunter has interviewed top dealers, curators, arts lawyers, and appraisers to bring you the best advice on: • Advantages to buying real art instead of reproductions • Determining if a piece of art is fairly priced • Predicting if an artist’s work will go up in value • Techniques for negotiating a price with a dealer • Developing your artistic taste, so you’ll know if you’ll still love your purchase ten years down the road • How to preserve art in your home • Resources, websites, and magazines that will help you learn more about the market and where to find different types of art