TIAMSA London Art Market

The London Art Market – a new TIAMSA Sub-Committee

Harry Dougall, Courtauld Institute of Art Alumnus; Elizabeth Pergam, Lecturer, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York; Barbara Pezzini, Editor-in-Chief, Visual Resources.


Statement: London has been a principal centre of the art market since at least the seventeenth century and its record-breaking sales still make headlines in the present day. It is a rich and versatile market. Antiques, furniture, sculpture, old master paintings, modern art and works on paper: the secondary market sustains principal sales in all these categories and many more. In addition, a fertile art scene fuels a healthy and lively primary market. Undoubtedly the London art market, both in its current state and historic development, presents an apt theme for investigation by TIAMSA members. We have thus started a thematic sub-committee on the theme of the London art market, to explore the nature of this complex phenomenon in its entirety. This sub-committee is not confined to a specific period, it incorporates both fine and decorative arts, exploring relationships between historical and contemporary London art markets, as well as institutions and businesses. While the focus is on London it welcomes opportunities to situate London’s markets in relation to other regions in the UK or internationally. Through organised visits (including galleries, museums, libraries, archives etc.), informal meetings and study days/seminars it aims to provide an opportunity for members to network/exchange information and encourage research on the London art market. Please contact us if you would like to join the group and news on our first event will be coming soon!