Surely, this is a concern that affects most if not all of us, i.e.,
questions about how to assess the value of art. Some of my
responses to the patron trying to assess the value of work follow. First,
I assure them that thousands of artists' works are not documented as is
also the case for many artists' careers as well. In addition, not finding
information about value does not necessarily mean a work does not have
value, only that documentation is not readily available. In addition,
even if we find information about another work by the same artist, it may
not reflect a realistic value for the work in hand. As the patron becomes
more frustrated, I also mention that I personally collect art that gives
me personal pleasure and that just because we cannot find a "dollar value"
for a work of art, it does not mean that it has no value. There is
certainly value in the mere satisfaction we gain in possessing a work of
art.
Hope this helps.
B. J. Kish Irvine, Ph.D.
Fine Arts Librarian
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405
(812) 855-5743 or fax (812) 855-3443
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