Giant Internet market has decided to compete with the already existing platforms for the sale of art and launched its Arts department. It is possible to buy original paintings, graphics, photographs, and prints for as low as $ 10 to 4.85 million

Marc Chagall
fruit basket and pineapple. 1964
Lithograph. 1 (1)
Price Online Amazon: 35 000 dollars (250 dollars for shipping)
Source: amazon.com

Rumors that the world's largest seller of goods and services on the Internet Amazon will sell original works of art , confirmed. The new section of the site , dedicated to the visual arts, you can purchase paintings, drawings, photographs and prints. Now in the database for more than 40,000 works of approximately 4,500 artists from 150 galleries United States, Britain, the Netherlands and Canada. Prices for works range from $ 10 (for screen printing in the form of one-dollar bills) to 4.85 million (for an oil painting by Norman Rockwell "Willie Gillis: the sending out of the house," 1941).

The range of online site Amazon has works of famous authors - Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall and Damien Hirst. Chagall's works, for example, is now 37 (Draw graphics). Dealers who have provided their works for sale, hoping to attract new customers, because the methods of sale of contemporary art in today's rapidly changing digital age.
In online art sales there are opponents. Art critic Georgina Adam Financial Times believes that the methods of presenting art on Amazon humiliate their authors. Art is not a product, and the unique creations of the fetus. Sale of original works on the Internet devalues ​​them.

Prepared by Mary Onuchina, AI

Sources : phx.corporate-ir.net , bbc.co.uk , artinvestment.ru

Editor :

Opinion, of course, debatable, but there is. Much more importantly, what guarantees can provide sellers with buyers to Amazon products. According to the administration site, they provide clients with the image of "high quality" and "detailed information" about each of the works. Under the "detailed information" refers to the job description, a story about the artist, exhibition history and provenance of the work. However, there is in this set of expert opinion - is not clear. And without the normal examination to buy works of art, of course, risky.

While it is not clear how to return and work in the event that they, for example, will be forged. According to the general rules of the site, bought on Amazon items be returned within 30 days of receiving them. In the case of works of art, a careful study of which tend to require more time, the month may not be enough.

second complex electronic platforms for the moment - to attract investment grade items. It is clear that the rarities that will sweep away the Maastricht fair in the first minute, there may not be. But at least something different from consumer goods should be to create a prestige site? In the day of the launch of the 13,000 objects in the painting section of only 136 pictures in the catalog cost more than 50,000 dollars. Besides the already mentioned Norman Rockwell, the list of the most expensive there Warhol acrylic for 1.45 million dollars, Chagall gouache over 285,000 (no published provenance, published confirmation of Chagall) and more of the first names almost anyone. Galleries are cautious, and reverse this situation will be like oh no-brainer. While Amazon Art - it is rather a directory to search for budget gifts (like a tiny lottery graphs Damien Hirst for 2700 dollars) and that this directory can be recommended only for people who know about art, because "muti" there is also a full - on the curatorial selection count it is not necessary.

inherent advantage of Amazon Art - is the quality of the presentation of the goods. Pictures can be, and to consider carefully, and try on the wall - looks like. Very convenient navigation system and filters - then Amazon feels like a fish in the Amazon. Filters, for example, allow you to quickly select the picture of the plots. And you know what happens? Of the nearly 13,000 paintings over 4850 works of art - abstraction. What is predictable. And the flowers, the idea is the top seller - would never guess - only 18.

Constantine Babulin, Vladimir Bogdanov AI