New books trace the art market's evolution and history
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 10
New books trace the art market's evolution and history
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 10
The three 2026 titles include Valentina Castellani's 308-page history, a contemporary artist's memoir and a biography of two 20th-century artists' commercial struggles.
Castellani's "Trading Beauty" follows art sales from Charlemagne through church commissions and Louis XIV's court, arguing market structures have shaped careers and the wider art landscape.
The books arrive during the spring art season, offering contrasting views on whether the market is fair, flawed or open to manipulation.
With 95% of sales under $50,000, why is the art market still a 'superstar' economy dominated by a few?
As regulators crack down, is illicit money just moving from traditional art to unregulated NFT markets?
Will generative AI empower emerging artists, or will it accelerate the income decline forecasted for 2028?