Description
Book SynopsisExamines the question of pricing contemporary art from a sociological perspective. On the basis of a range of qualitative and quantitative data, including interviews with art dealers, this book shows how art galleries juggle the contradictory logics of art and economics. In doing so, they rely on a highly ritualized business repertoire.
Trade ReviewWinner of the 2006 Viviana Zelizer Distinguished Scholarship Award, Section on Economic Sociology of the American Sociological Association "The book is an excellent, readable and thorough analysis of how prices are set in the contemporary art market."--The Art Newspaper "[Talking Prices] provides an excellent analysis of the tension between art and commerce that characterizes the art world."--Stuart Plattner, American Anthropologist "Velthuis' essay is absorbing because it challenges our understanding of economics, culture, and society. Its narrative is stylish and refined; at times the discourse shows craftsmanship and attention to details, like a still-life of Pieter Claesz; at other times it is bold and sophisticated, like a painting of Karel Appel, or Kees Van Dongen. It is an essay definitely worth reading."--Calin Valsan, Journal of Cultural Economics
Table of ContentsList of Tables and Graphs ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1 Chapter 1: The Architecture of the Art Market 21 Chapter 2: Exchanging Meaning 53 Chapter 3: Promoters versus Parasites 77 Chapter 4: Determinants of Prices 97 Chapter 5: The Art of Pricing 116 Chapter 6: Stories of Prices 132 Chapter 7: Symbolic Meanings of Prices 158 Chapter 8: Conclusion 179 Appendix A: Interview Questionnaire 191 Appendix B: Description of Interview Sample 194 Appendix C: Record Prices for Art 197 Appendix D: Multilevel Analysis of Prices for Art 199 Notes 209 Bibliography 237 Index 255
