Over the past 50 years the art market has expanded significantly with a diverse network of old and new buyers and sellers. The characteristics noted below offer a glimpse of some of the characteristics of the art market. 
 

• Demand for the better, unique and best examples of fine art has grown exponentially:   Sales volumes have exceeded sixty billion dollars annually over the past decade, compared to a few billion in the 1970s. Collectors, auction houses, investment groups, institutions and dealers today are primarily searching for the better and best examples of most market recognized artists and art categories.
   

• The number of fine art objects offered or sold measures in the tens of thousands each week: The number of established auction houses have expanded both internationally and domestically from several dozen key players in the 1970s to several hundred key players worldwide. When one includes Internet auctions the number of auctioneers and dealerships measures into the thousands. Auctions, and especially internet driven auctions, along with online selling platforms, have been the key drivers in the volume of art sold. Some estimates suggest the Internet accounts for nearly 15% of market sales. A percentage much higher than 15% is typical of the Internet as a primary source for locating and sourcing artwork. 
   

• Collectors use their own advisors and specialty experts to buy or sell artwork: Collectors increasingly buy from auctions and directly from other clients, often not relying on traditional dealerships as much as in the past. Often, advisors and specialty experts are used to help with the due diligence needed for successful purchases and sales.
   

• Exponential growth in non-traditional art categories:  Post-War and Contemporary Art have created exciting new markets and and brought new artists to the attention of collectors. The category of contemporary art has expanded to over 50% of market value sold.
   

• The number of recognized artists being bought and sold in the 1970’s numbered several thousand: Today it is over two hundred thousand artists in serious art collecting categories. This has created a more diverse and more confusing market place for both the novice and experienced collector. 
   

• Financialization: Financialization and a widespread investment mentality has created new swaths of buyers and sellers treating art as an investment opportunity. Additionally, loans and price guarantees have become popular vehicles for managing art purchases and sales. 
   

• An expanded marketplace creates an atmosphere of more buying and selling  opportunities: With online media seamlessly reaching collectors daily, as well as its worldwide publicity and reach, buyers and sellers can view a larger marketplace of art in various categories. This offers excellent opportunities for successful purchases as well as mistakes.

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Saratoga Fine Art's team and partner members work with clients, appraisers, legal advisors, to facilitate direct points of sale, with reasonable commission structures. Additionally, we offer fine art from our own collection and from other collectors.