One Thing About Buying Art, from Victor Niederhoffer
One thing to remember about buying art is that the vig is very high. It costs 15% buyers fee and 10% sellers fee. Plus the markets are generally wholesale markets so that what you pay for retail is likely twice the wholesale price. So you start out about with a 50% to 70% loss, it's greater for items that are 8 or less. You should think of waiting at least 10 years to get even.
Jeff Rollert writes:
I find art (along with vintage cars) is best acquired from someone's near bankruptcy, as time pressures reduce shopping/selling opportunities. BK goes through the courts which permit other games. Of course, documentation must be present.
Also, if they are still alive, buy directly from the artist.