In straightforward prose that doesn't mystify art or deny its special allure, prominent art dealer and market expert Michael Findlay offers a close up and personal view of almost 50 years in the business of art. He engagingly explains art's three kinds of value: commercial; social; and what he terms its essential value - the range of responses to art that we as individuals have depending on our culture, education and life experience. Few avid collectors are immune to the thrill of rising market value, but Findlay argues that buying for investment alone is seldom smart. A genuine love of art and the ways it may enrich one's social life also play important roles. Down-to-earth and with a touch of dry wit, he explains exactly how artworks are valued and reveals the workings of the art market. Enhancing his narrative are wise advice, insider anecdotes and tales of scoundrels and scams, celebrity collectors and remarkable discoveries. Generously illustrated, Findlay's distillation of a lifetime's experience makes this insider's guide indispensable for all who love art, not only collectors but true 'amateurs' as well.
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In this straightforward book, art dealer and market expert Michael Findlay presents a close up personal view of almost fifty years in the business of art... With narrative and wise advice, insider anecdotes and tales of scoundrels and scams, this generously illustrated book is a must for all appreciators of art. --Book Time Magazine March 2012
[Michael Findlay's] new book, The Value of Art, is one of the best ever published on the art world, and covers just about everything you would want to know, including how to buy, sell, look at, and enjoy art. --ARTnews, May 2012
[Michael Findlay's] new book, The Value of Art, is one of the best ever published on the art world, and covers just about everything you would want to know, including how to buy, sell, look at, and enjoy art. --ARTnews, May 2012
About the Author
One of the earliest dealers in SoHo, New York, Michael Findlay showcased artists including John Baldessari, Joseph Beuys and Hannah Wilke. Named Head of Impressionist and Modern Paintings at Christie's in 1984, he later became its International Director of Fine Arts. Since 2000 he has been a director at Acquavella Galleries, New York, which in recent years has held major exhibitions of important Impressionist, modern and contemporary masters.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By H. Carlton
Format:Hardcover
Michael Findlay knows the art world through and through, and this makes for a most engrossing and entertaining book.
He is particularly good on big art auctions, on which he worked for many years.
A very useful book to read if you are interested in the art world.
He is particularly good on big art auctions, on which he worked for many years.
A very useful book to read if you are interested in the art world.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Apple of Discord
27 May 2012
By Christian Schlect
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
A useful guide to a rare and obscure territory to most of us; the grounds--principally, located in New York City and London--where the commercial exchange of expensive fine art takes place.
Michael Findlay, the author, is a world-weary expert on this terrain. As an art dealer he has seen much and has firm opinions, many of the latter to which I agree (dislike of museum headphones for taped explanations of paintings; too few places for one to sit for contemplation of works in the art galleries of museums; contempt for Damien Hirst; and that one should take the time to "see.").
The basic thrust of the book is to describe the three individual aspects--not mutually exclusive--that create a work's value for an art buyer: the chance for an increased monetary return based on a future resale; the social uplift in owning a piece of great art; and one's internal appreciation of pure beauty. Not surprisingly, Mr. Findlay favors pure beauty.
One drawback: I think this book will be dated in too soon of time, given a good deal of its discussion is on the results of quite recent art auctions.
For those looking for a book by a magnificent modern art collector, one who Mr. Findlay mentions with approval, I suggest "Memories of a Collector" by Giuseppe Panza.
Michael Findlay, the author, is a world-weary expert on this terrain. As an art dealer he has seen much and has firm opinions, many of the latter to which I agree (dislike of museum headphones for taped explanations of paintings; too few places for one to sit for contemplation of works in the art galleries of museums; contempt for Damien Hirst; and that one should take the time to "see.").
The basic thrust of the book is to describe the three individual aspects--not mutually exclusive--that create a work's value for an art buyer: the chance for an increased monetary return based on a future resale; the social uplift in owning a piece of great art; and one's internal appreciation of pure beauty. Not surprisingly, Mr. Findlay favors pure beauty.
One drawback: I think this book will be dated in too soon of time, given a good deal of its discussion is on the results of quite recent art auctions.
For those looking for a book by a magnificent modern art collector, one who Mr. Findlay mentions with approval, I suggest "Memories of a Collector" by Giuseppe Panza.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
interesting and entertaining view of the current art market
24 May 2012
By Ivor E. Zetler
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Michael Findlay has been active in the "art market" for many years. In this entertaining and informative book he divides the value of art into 3 sections. One segment is the commercial value of the art work-here Findlay examines the sometimes questionable world of auctions and dealers. Secondly there is discussion of the social value of collecting, displaying and donating art. Findlay writes of his association with some renowned collectors-his career certainly sounds interesting and enviable. Finally there is an exploration of the intrinsic value of art works. Like in the book "The 12 Million Dollar Stuffed Shark", the author is reassuringly cynical of the contemporary art scene where one day wonders are attracting vastly inflated prices for their creations.
Findlay is not an art critic - nor does he claim to be one. While his writing is clear and entertaining, it does not have the insight or wit of an author like Robert Hughes. Nevertheless I recommend this book to anyone interested in the mechanisms of the present day art world. There are good color reproductions of some of the art works under discussion.
Findlay is not an art critic - nor does he claim to be one. While his writing is clear and entertaining, it does not have the insight or wit of an author like Robert Hughes. Nevertheless I recommend this book to anyone interested in the mechanisms of the present day art world. There are good color reproductions of some of the art works under discussion.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Basically this is a reminiscence of a person with extensive experience in buying & selling art
6 Sep 2012
By Ronald S. Ratney
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book describes some of the incredible prices that the works of some artists have been sold for at auction, discusses why he feels that art is not a good investment medium and reminisces about the author's experiences hobnobbing with the people who think nothing of spending more that $50 million for a single art work. There isn't any real discussion of how art prices are determined. If you have a pretty 19th century oil painting on your wall, don't look here for help in figuring out what it might be worth. On the other other hand the author makes a very strong point that the real value of art is the feeling you get when you look at it.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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