Art Market

Definition ∞ The art market refers to the global system where artworks are bought, sold, and traded. This economic sector includes the sale of physical and digital art through auctions, galleries, private dealers, and online platforms. It encompasses primary sales of newly created works and secondary sales of existing pieces, influencing cultural valuation and financial speculation. The market’s operation often involves complex authentication processes, valuation methodologies, and a diverse range of participants, from individual collectors to institutional investors.
Context ∞ The art market is presently undergoing significant transformation due to the advent of non-fungible tokens and blockchain technology. This digital shift introduces new methods for verifying provenance and ownership, potentially democratizing access while also presenting challenges related to intellectual property and market volatility. Discussions frequently concern the integration of traditional art world practices with decentralized digital ownership models and the long-term sustainability of digital art valuations.