Not For The Faint O'art 2

By Super

Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 17:00

The canvas is sure holding out stiff competition to the company records while the paintbrush is wielding out more power than ever before. The ever-rising graph of the investment opportunities in art is unfathomable. From corporate offices to hotels to drawing rooms in houses, paintings adorn the walls and show the color of money. Investing in art is the hottest trend prevailing worldwide and is turning into a fine art by itself. The galleries in the Indian Metros are not far behind and so are not the Indian artists. The wide range of variety in Indian art has attracted connoisseur's world over. Artists, art dealers and investors all over the world are trying to crack the code of the value of priceless masterpieces and their resale value. Some have become extremely successful in this venture.

Is investing in art an idyllic business option?

The act of investing in art as a business proposition is novel and stimulating. For an experienced art dealer it is nostalgic to a degree but to a novice it may be giddy and confusing. Kalakriti art gallery owner Prakash Lahoti recommends," Expert opinion is but for inevitable to ensure the purchase of a good painting and making a sound investment". In lesser occasions it happens that a masterpiece is dug out from an obscure flea market, sold at a gallery for cheap and is later resold ten times its value. To steer clear of fake paintings calls for being well read and knowledgeable. Mostly some common sense guiding principles help. To ensure a good appraisal of art, Rekha Lahoti lists, some guiding principles. The best reason to buy a painting however is because you like it.

Get to know the profile of the artist and track down his works. This isn't a huge task as most of the galleries do host information about popular artists.

The painting style, other paintings in the similar style can give you an adept understanding about the standing of the artwork.

If the painting is sold in the gallery then a certificate mentioning the date of painting, acknowledgment of the artist and authorization of the gallery owner to sell the painting is required.

Apart from the information garnered in a gallery do your own homework about the artist.

Here's one of the most important guideline when you are buying a budding artist. Get to talk to the artist if possible about the inspiration to paint it. The best bet is your own conviction about the painting.

Resale terms and conditions should be chalked out too if you wish that the same gallery do the job later.

Do not be afraid to take the risk of buying a lesser-known painter.