A History of the Western Art Market - by Titia Hulst (Paperback)

About the Book

"This is the first sourcebook to trace the emergence and evolution of art markets in the Western European economy, framing them within the larger narrative of the ascendancy of capitalist markets. Selected writings from across academic disciplines present compelling evidence of art's inherent commercial dimension and show how artists, dealers, and collectors have interacted over time, from the city-states of Quattrocento Italy to the high-stakes markets of postmillennial New York and Beijing. This approach casts a startling new light on the traditional concerns of art history and aesthetics, revealing much that is provocative, profound, and occasionally even comic. This volume's unique historical perspective makes it appropriate for use in college courses and postgraduate and professional programs, as well as for professionals working in art-related environments such as museums, galleries, and auction houses."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

This is the first sourcebook to trace the emergence and evolution of art markets in the Western economy, framing them within the larger narrative of the ascendancy of capitalist markets. Selected writings from across academic disciplines present compelling evidence of art's inherent commercial dimension and show how artists, dealers, and collectors have interacted over time, from the city-states of Quattrocento Italy to the high-stakes markets of postmillennial New York and Beijing. This approach casts a startling new light on the traditional concerns of art history and aesthetics, revealing much that is provocative, profound, and occasionally even comic. This volume's unique historical perspective makes it appropriate for use in college courses and postgraduate and professional programs, as well as for professionals working in art-related environments such as museums, galleries, and auction houses.

From the Back Cover

"This astutely assembled and highly readable compendium brings its vital subject, nothing less than the circulation of art works in the world, to a new level of intellectual maturity and accessibility."--Thomas E. Crow, author of The Long March of Pop: Art, Music, and Design, 1930-1995

"Hulst's first-of-its-kind treatment delineates an elusive and impenetrable subject--the art market. These precisely selected essays by leading art historians, philosophers, sociologists, and economists collectively offer a point of view regarding the operation, structure, and disposition of art markets even as they provide a splendid overview of historical patterns over five centuries."--Adam D. Weinberg, Alice Pratt Brown Director, Whitney Museum of American Art

"This is an important anthology and one that will allow great flexibility and breadth in how it can be used in classrooms. It will also be a very useful introduction to the field for scholars who would like to understand the market as an aid to their own research."--Pamela Fletcher, Professor of Art History, Bowdoin College

Review Quotes

"Highly recommended for museum and academic libraries that support the study of fine and decorative arts; it will also complement certain public and special library collections."-- "Art Libraries Society of North America"

"...an extraordinary compendium about the business of art.... A History of the Western Art Market will be a golden go-to reference for inquisitive artists, collectors, curators and dealers. It would also be a great resource for journalists and historians who wish to have a more informed perspective."-- "Forbes" (1/25/2017 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Titia Hulst is a modern and contemporary art historian. She holds a PhD from the Institute of Fine Arts and an MBA from New York University. In addition, she teaches art history at Purchase College in New York.