107-031 Art and the Market: Then and Now

Usually 25 points of first-year art history, see Prerequisites.

This subject deals with the emerging area of studies of the marketing of art. It commences in 15th century Italy with an examination of the organisation of artists' workshops and concludes by analysing the relationships between contemporary artists and dealers and the market for Aboriginal art. Attention is directed to such issues as forgery, the early professional art dealer and the changing relationship of artist and patron to artist and client. Students will also examine the marketing of art in a broader sense. Auction houses and the internationalisation of the art market are thus also considered for the light they throw on our understanding of issues of commodification and perceptions of artistic worth. Other topics include artistic reputation, the artist as entrepreneur, art market and museum policies and the psychology of collecting.

A 2000-word class paper and a 2000-word essay.

A subject reader will be available.