Dive into the exciting world of art and investments in this blog post. Unlike traditional assets like stocks or bonds, art offers a unique and captivating opportunity, and we’ve selected ten top online platforms and auction houses, including ArtriseArt, Indian Art Ideas, and Live Auctioneers, to guide you through your Indian art market adventure.
The Context
Unlike a Stock or Bonds—Art is both a subjective form of cognitive expression and an asset class.
This means that there’s no specific method that can be applied to assess its true valuation.
Art hence doesn’t have a fixed price leading to significant price variations.
With a select group of renowned artists commanding prices in lakhs or crores, numerous other artists face challenges in selling their artwork, often settling for a few hundred rupees. One reliable avenue for investing in fine art is through auctions, as they provide a process of “price discovery” with the assistance of experts. To navigate this diverse sector, common investors must explore accessible entry points.
In this blog post, we’ve put together a handpicked selection of the best 10 online platforms and auction houses where you can explore and contribute to the world of fine arts. By doing so, you can become an art patron and cultivate valuable assets with long-term potential.
1. ArtriseArt
Artrise is a website operated by a team of art enthusiasts who possess extensive experience in the art industry and strong connections with one of the oldest art collector families. Their vision for Artrise Auction stems from a deep passion to enhance the value of artists’ works in the current market.
The primary goal of Artrise is to provide a platform that encourages art collectors and enthusiasts to engage in the auctioning of artifacts and artworks. Recognizing the power of the digital era and the significant impact of online platforms on global economies, Artrise leverages its website—www.artriseart.com, to showcase a diverse collection of artworks from various genres. Through this platform, they aim to generate interest, promote awareness, and foster a sense of joy in learning about art.
2. Indian Art Ideas
Indianartideas is an ideal digital art gallery that caters to art enthusiasts from all walks of life. It has gained significant popularity as one of the leading online platforms, providing a vast collection of over 15,000 original hand-printed Indian artworks created by highly esteemed and talented artisans. The platform showcases a diverse range of artistic styles and themes, offering a wide pool of choices to art lovers.
In addition to the extensive collection of artworks, Indianartideas also features a remarkable selection of apparel adorned with artwork from over 1,000 skilled artisans. This unique offering further enhances the platform’s appeal and provides a platform for artists to showcase their creativity in various forms.
With over 1,000 beautiful paintings available, Indianartideas has become a prominent hub for both buying and selling Indian artworks. The platform has cultivated a large community of satisfied customers and sellers alike, reflecting the platform’s success in facilitating art transactions and fostering a positive experience for all involved.
3. Live Auctioneers
Live Auctioneers is a platform that offers a thrilling bidding experience in art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles auctions worldwide, attracting a vast global audience of millions. With auctions featuring captivating objects in over fifty countries, the platform ensures seamless translation of item descriptions and currency conversion, making it accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Whether you are an avid collector, investor, or a first-time explorer in the auction world, Live Auctioneers provides a global marketplace where hidden treasures await discovery. The platform invites enthusiasts to engage in the excitement of bidding and offers a wide range of unique items that cater to various interests and preferences.
4. My Indian Art
This Kolkata-based art gallery has been in existence for a decade and has now expanded its presence by showcasing its collection on a digital platform. It specializes in offering a unique selection of Indian contemporary art forms, encompassing both popular vintage Indian artwork and modern paintings, among other artistic creations. The global recognition of Indian paintings, both nationally and internationally, has elevated their status in the art world.
The website’s purpose extends beyond merely selling Indian artwork—it strives to present the art gallery’s collections to a wider online audience, enabling the world to appreciate and support talented artisans from across India. The primary goals of the platform are to preserve, promote, and acquire Indian art paintings.
A wide range of painting styles and mediums are available, including oil paintings, acrylic paintings, watercolors, and charcoal paintings. The subjects explored in the artworks span— abstract, landscape, portrait, still life, figurative, and mythological themes.
Notably, my Indian Art also contributes to a noble cause. The income generated from the website is directed towards supporting the Netaji Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), making it a valuable asset in the efforts to combat cancer and aid in the treatment of children affected by the disease.
5. Saffron Art
Saffronart is a prominent online art auction platform in India, renowned for its extensive collection of artworks that encompass modern and contemporary art, traditional Indian art, and collectibles.
Established in 2000 by Minal and Dinesh Vazirani, Saffronart has emerged as India’s most esteemed auction house, having conducted over four hundred auctions to date. With its main gallery located in Mumbai and additional offices in New Delhi, London, and New York, Saffronart has positioned itself as a key player in the Indian art market.
Saffronart takes a proactive approach to promoting Indian art by hosting online and live auctions, and exhibitions, and engaging in Dialogues in Art, collaborating closely with collectors, gallerists, and artists. By doing so, the platform aims to cultivate a robust art market and enhance appreciation for aesthetics. Ensuring transparency in the auction process and offering convenient access and comprehensive information to collectors worldwide are among its primary objectives.
In addition to auctions, Saffronart provides a range of services that extend to private sales, appraisals, and valuations for clients. The platform has set several global benchmarks for online auctions and was even the subject of a case study at Harvard Business School in 2005, highlighting its innovative practices and success in the art market.
6. Artery India
Artery India specializes in offering a curated collection of artworks by renowned Pre-Modern and Modern masters. Their selection encompasses a wide range of artistic styles and periods, including contemporary works by artists exclusively represented by Artery India, known as ‘Artery Artists’. These artworks are available for viewing and purchase on the Artery India website, as well as through private viewing channels.
Since 2002, Artery India has operated a Private Advisory service dedicated to managing the investment interests of a select group of high-net-worth individuals and families. Serving as a private art office, the advisory provides objective guidance to its patrons, assisting them in making informed decisions about their art investments.
Artery India has also pioneered a comprehensive range of specialized services that are essential for building and managing an art investment portfolio. These services are designed to maintain the highest standards of discretion and confidentiality, ensuring the privacy and trust of their clients.
Overall, Artery India aims to offer not only a diverse collection of artworks but also professional expertise and support in the realm of art investments, catering to the needs of discerning collectors and investors.
7. Mojarto
Mojarto serves as an online marketplace that showcases and facilitates the sale of original artworks, prints, and sculptures created by Indian artists. This platform is a venture by NDTV and prides itself on offering a diverse range of artworks while ensuring a transparent buying process.
Established in 2005, Mojarto has emerged as the largest and most innovative online art platform in India. The management team at Mojarto strongly believes in the transformative potential of technology and has been at the forefront of pioneering art initiatives in the country. Their goal has been to create a unified online platform that brings together artists, collectors, dealers, galleries, and resellers.
With a focus on providing a seamless user experience, Mojarto offers a cutting-edge art portal supported by advanced analytics and data. This combination aims to revolutionize the art shopping experience, empower artists, and provide significant convenience for individuals interested in reselling their artworks. The Mojarto website proudly features an impressive collection of over 19,000 artworks and showcases the works of more than 5,000 talented artists.
8. Fizdi
Fizdi.com stands as India’s most captivating store, offering a wide selection of exclusive and affordable hand-painted art and crafts. Founded in 2009 by Anand Prakash Khiv Vasana, the company has established itself as a leading destination for art enthusiasts.
The Fizdi painting store presents a remarkable collection of over 5,000 artworks, each based on various themes and topics. With a global shipping network, they ensure that customers from all over the world can enjoy their diverse range of offerings. The store takes pride in collaborating with a network of over 500 skilled and dedicated painters and artists who showcase their exceptional talents through their paintings.
What sets Fizdi.com apart is their commitment to producing only full-fledged hand-painted artworks, without employing any other technologies. This dedication to traditional artistic methods has made the online site immensely popular among art enthusiasts and seekers. Fizdi.com has become a renowned and sought-after platform for those searching for high-quality, hand-painted artwork, providing a captivating experience for art hunters.
9. Gallerist
Gallerist serves as an excellent online platform where both aspiring and professional painters and artisans can showcase their unique artistry. This platform offers a diverse range of online paintings, providing a space for artists to exhibit their creativity and talent to a global audience.
One of the notable aspects of this online platform is its ability to empower artists, enabling them to transition their artwork from local or limited spaces to the expansive digital realm. By doing so, www.gallerist.in allows artists to preserve their talent and share it with the entire world.
The website was founded in 2014 by Ajay Anand, an expert in marketing and design. With its headquarters located in Mumbai, Gallerist has established itself as a platform that supports artists in reaching wider audiences and gaining recognition for their artistic endeavors.
10. Artoreal
Artoreal is a remarkable repository filled with an extensive collection of paintings, photographs, and digital art encompassing various genres. Whether you have a penchant for abstract pieces, captivating portraits, cultural heritage depictions, or breathtaking landscapes, Artoreal caters to diverse artistic tastes. It strives to provide a platform not only for established professionals but also for up-and-coming artists, photographers, and hobbyists.
One of Artoreal’s standout features is its employment of cutting-edge AR (Augmented Reality) technology. This innovative tool allows you to immerse yourself in a truly interactive experience by visualizing how a particular artwork will appear on your wall. This way, you can accurately gauge how the art blends with your surroundings before making a purchase.
In addition to the extensive range of artworks, Artoreal offers exciting options for printing media and framing specifically designed for photographs and digital paintings. This comprehensive approach makes Artoreal a convenient one-stop destination, providing a seamless experience for both buyers and sellers alike. Whether you’re searching for the perfect piece to add to your collection or looking to showcase your creations, Artoreal ensures a delightful and hassle-free journey from selection to displaying the artwork on your wall.
Conclusion
Investing in art can provide a sense of satisfaction and the potential for financial benefits, especially when purchasing from a reputable dealer. However, the success of art investments relies heavily on the quality of decision-making before investing. It’s important to recognize that art, much like growth companies, is typically considered a long-term investment, and returns may not be immediate.
The value of art can remain stagnant if the artist does not experience significant success. Therefore, conducting thorough research on the artist you intend to invest in is crucial. It’s also essential to note that not all of an artist’s works will be masterpieces, and seeking guidance from an expert can be beneficial in recognizing exceptional pieces.
Please be aware that the information provided in this post should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any specific artwork or artist. It is highly recommended to conduct your own research and due diligence before engaging in art investments.
We hope that this post has helped guide you through the exploration of art as an alternative class of assets.
1 Comment
I have been trying to find information on investing in art as a separate asset class. It seems like it is not really accessible for the middle class since you need a wealthy network to trade these pieces. Feels like a rich man’s game.