Our advice for choosing a modern work of art
For some, the purchase of a painting, a sculpture or a photo is the result of a crush.
For others, the purchase is thoughtful and constitutes a solid financial investment.
In both cases, how do you go about choosing an artwork? If your tastes are modern rather than contemporary art, how do you acquire your first artwork of modern art?
What are its characteristics? Here is our guide to succumb to your desire for art and thus exhibit a unique work of art in your living room
Summary
- Modern art, a fertile artistic period
- The steps before selecting your modern artwork
- Discover the history of the works
- Our last tips before starting a collection
Modern art, a fertile artistic period
If the works of Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh or Gustav Klimt particularly appeal to you, your artistic tastes lean towards this abundant artistic period.
First of all, what is modern art?
Commonly, it is established that modern art begins in the 1870s with the movements of Realism and Impressionism.
Influenced by their century, artists question the codes of academic art. They are shaken up by the technological, political and societal transformations of their time which is reflected in their works.
The artists of the following movements never stop innovating, inspiring each other while challenging previous artistic principles. This period of modern art includes Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism and many other movements.
It is followed by contemporary art which begins with the emergence of pop art.
This historical era ends in the 1950s, which means that this current is not contemporary with our time.
Today, many artists claim and draw inspiration from the works of the great masters to create in the minds of many movements of modern art. Therefore, if your purchase choice is modern art, you may well acquire the work of an emerging artist, in a modern style.
The steps before selecting your modern artwork
If you are determined to adorn your living room wall with a modern piece of art, don't rush into the purchase. First, you need some knowledge of modern art history to determine your desires. The prices on the art market are varied, from a few euros to millions of dollars, your budget is decided upstream.
Multiply your visits to the museum or an art gallery
If you think you don't know anything about art, don't let that scare you.
Knowing the artists, the movements takes place as you go.
Your taste is refined according to your knowledge, your gaze is educated.
It is by visiting museums and galleries, reading up on modern art, looking carefully at all the works of art available to you that you will determine your preferences.
Do not miss the art fairs, you will discover a wide variety of works.
Besides your learning in the matter, this discovery is most fascinating.
Let your instincts guide you, then it will be time to become reasonable when it comes to financial matters. In the meantime, the contemplation of dazzling works is within your reach.
Evaluate your purchasing budget
Of course, hanging a painting by Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous painters of modern art, in your living room is enviable, but unfortunately it is not within the reach of all budgets.
His painting Woman Seated by a Window (Marie-Thérèse) was sold in April 2021 at Christie’s, New York, for $ 103.4 million. In addition, his drawings are estimated between 7,000 and 80,000 euros and his prints between 150 and 10,000 euros.
The choice of technique and support is therefore important and helps to set the amount.
The artist's rating, that is, his value on the art market, is also worth knowing to help you set your budget.
The painting of a great master will inevitably be less affordable than that of his pupil.
In an online gallery, you can find quality paintings from around a hundred euros for small formats. Something to let you try!
Discover the history of the works
The currents of modern art are numerous and eclectic.
From Impressionism to Surrealism, the peculiarities of each movement remain important.
By documenting yourself before your purchase, you can determine which movement particularly affects you in modern art, and which artist moves you.
If you like scenes of modern 19th century life, learn about the realism movement that, for example, members of the Barbizon school were a part of.
The impressionist-style canvases can be seen endlessly (think of the painting of Water Lilies by Claude Monet).
The colors of the wild animals, the geometric shapes of the cubists or the ode to modernity of the futurists appeal to the most daring.
If abstract art appeals to you more than figurative painting, look for paintings in the style of the Bauhaus school or neoplasticism.
Turn to surrealism if dream paintings and subconscious thoughts fascinate you.
The life and work of your favorite artist
When the choice of style or even the work is decided, our advice is to take an interest in the life of the artist.
Knowing the history and secrets of creation gives you an even stronger attachment. Knowing the artist's inspirations and his artistic approach helps to understand the arts.
Our last tips before starting a collection
The names of well-known modern artists are certainly familiar to you.
Their works are exhibited in France as in the largest museums in the world.
But did you know that works by a large number of less popular artists are also available in galleries?
You can love a painting by a pupil of a renowned master or an anonymous just as much as that of a great painter.
It's all about attraction. Experts in the art market can guide you in your research, do not hesitate to ask them.
The sale of works in art galleries
Whether on site in a gallery or online, the sale of a work or an object of art is easy.
The gallery owners, art experts, provide good advice and will help you make the right choice according to your favorites.
The most difficult thing is to decide.
Following your purchase, keep the certificate that will be given to you at the same time as the delivery, it allows you to prove the authenticity of the work and possibly resell it.
Some think of matching the paintings to the decor of the house while others prefer to select the works, then think about their exposure in the room.
We advise you to look for the place of choice in the house and to leave space around. U
a design room is more emphasized if it is isolated in the room.
Choose carefully the decorative items placed next to it.
In addition, the choice of the frame for a painting, according to the colors of the painting and the decoration of the room, is essential.
It is rather recommended to choose a work in soft tones to hang it in a room but in the end, everything is a matter of taste!
On the subject:
How to choose an artwork?
find out more :
- How to choose a contemporary artwork?
- The price of an artwork
- The signature of an artwork
- The certificate of authenticity of an artwork
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