Art Prices

MrBlahh

Senior member
Sep 15, 2004
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My brother's g/f had a display at an art show and I decided to check it out. While checking out the displays I noticed a trend....the prices are freaking crazy. Paintings were starting at about $400-500 and the highest I saw was $3000. Does anyone know how they come up with the prices? Is it just because its hard to knock out a lot of paintings per week so they have to charge a lot more? If so I guess thats why its not a very lucrative career for most
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
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It's like writing a book, it requires inspiration and creativity. If you're actually an artist rather than a painting factory worker you usually don't just "knock out" one an hour or even one a day.

If you want cheap assembly-line art, you need to go to one of those TV ad "art shows" where Chinese 10-cent-an-hour workers have created 1,000 cookie-cutter paintings of the same nature scene.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
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Question: Why does a Louis Vuitton handbag cost $5000?
Answer: Because somebody has enough expendible cash to blow on it.
 

biostud

Lifer
Feb 27, 2003
19,740
6,818
136
It's totally unique
it takes lots of time to produce
you should only pay that kind of cash if you get a WOW feeling, some do and therefor are willing to spend that amount of cash.
 

sixone

Lifer
May 3, 2004
25,030
5
61
Because if you're going to hang it on the wall for everyone to see, you better be able to say it cost a butt-load of money. Otherwise anyone will think they can throw paint on a canvas and call themselves a genius.

 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
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tbqhwy.com
because its worth that much to someone,

and actually most art sells for about 1/2 of what its really worth
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
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Originally posted by: Anubis
because its worth that much to someone,

and actually most art sells for about 1/2 of what its really worth

Depends on your definition of "worth", I guess.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
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tbqhwy.com
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: Anubis
because its worth that much to someone,

and actually most art sells for about 1/2 of what its really worth

Depends on your definition of "worth", I guess.

well yea

IMO no handbag is worth 500$

however ill gladly fork over 1000+ for a painting or Photo i really like
 

myusername

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2003
5,046
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Originally posted by: MrBlahh
My brother's g/f had a display at an art show and I decided to check it out. While checking out the displays I noticed a trend....the prices are freaking crazy. Paintings were starting at about $400-500 and the highest I saw was $3000. Does anyone know how they come up with the prices? Is it just because its hard to knock out a lot of paintings per week so they have to charge a lot more? If so I guess thats why its not a very lucrative career for most

Those prices are on the low side of reasonable, particularly if the artists have any background beyond that of bored pensioners enameling pictures of kitties onto tableware.

Edit: Did you ask your brother's gf about the prices? What kind of work was she exhibiting and how much was she charging?
 

Lorn

Banned
Nov 28, 2004
2,143
0
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I sell my work for those prices. Why? Because I don't sell prints. They are one of a kind and will never be duplicated. My work is also done for me; I don't do commission, I don't use other people's ideas, I don't make them to sell them. They were created and destroyed with the sole purpose of my personal satisfaction.

Edit: If that means anything to you...
 

sonz70

Banned
Apr 19, 2005
3,693
1
0
because....it is one of a kind..it is a product of inspiration..


I would gladly pay 1000+ for a painting that I really really like.


FYI the most I have paid for a painting to date is 17500 for a picture of a WW2 soldier holding a dead child.