Sourcing Art

Ways to source artwork through galleries, auction houses, artist studios and online platforms. Articles explain graduate shows, art fairs, building dealer relationships and navigating major auction houses.

Art Fairs, What Are they?

Art fairs are trade sales events where artists and collectors buy, sell and network, ranging from small local shows to major international events.

Art Provenance: History and Ownership

Provenance documents an artwork's ownership history and protects collectors against fakes, forgeries and stolen pieces.

Building Up Contacts

Build a reliable network of contacts through galleries, studios and art fairs to source work that matches your taste and avoid middlemen.

Buying Over the Internet

Weigh the pros and cons of buying art online, from convenience to the challenge of assessing quality through photos alone.

Christie's Auctioneers and Art Collections

How Christie's became the world's largest auction house for collectibles and fine art since 1766.

Dealing with Commercial Art Galleries When Collecting Art

Understand how commercial galleries work with artists, what they take in commission, and whether gallery representation is worth the cost and creative control.

Displaying Your Art Collection

How to arrange your art collection so individual pieces work together as a cohesive whole.

How to Meet Artists to Help You Source Art

Meeting artists directly helps you build an art collection while getting genuine insight into their work and building relationships that matter.

Insider Tips for Art Collecting from the Collectors

Art collectors share practical advice on buying what you love, spotting emerging markets, and building expertise in your collecting area.

Running a Gallery

How to start and run an art gallery, from finding a location to securing funding and building your reputation.

Sotheby's, a History

Sotheby's grew from a London rare book seller in 1744 to become one of the world's dominant auction houses for fine art and decorative objects.

Sourcing Work at Graduate Shows

Visit graduate shows across UK universities and galleries to find emerging artists and buy fresh work directly from talented young creators.

Visiting Artists Studios

See inside artist studios during open events or by visiting directly to watch how painters, sculptors and photographers create their work.

Visiting Auction Houses

How auction houses work as a buyer and seller, including bidding strategies and what to expect before you go.