Frequently Asked Questions
Collecting American Fine Art
American fine art encompasses centuries of artistic expression and a remarkably broad range of movements and styles. It includes Colonial and early American art, the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, Tonalism, Western and Southwestern art, illustration, Modernism, Regionalism and many important postwar movements, including Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.
American Fine Art Magazine explores these periods through the artists, museums, galleries, exhibitions and scholarship that continue to shape our understanding of American art and the artists who created it.
American Fine Art Magazine explores these periods through the artists, museums, galleries, exhibitions and scholarship that continue to shape our understanding of American art and the artists who created it.
Start by looking and learning. Visit galleries specializing in American art, explore museum collections, attend exhibitions and art fairs, and spend time discovering which periods and artists interest you most and the kind of art that attracts you. You don’t need to begin with a famous name. Developing your eye and understanding the history behind the artwork are important first steps.
American Fine Art Magazine is a practical and educational resource for collectors. Through previews of gallery and museum exhibitions, art fairs throughout the country and historic American art auctions, collectors can learn where and how to acquire their next piece. In-depth features by leading scholars and special sections devoted to specific genres and movements provide context and knowledge as you continue to build your collection.
American Fine Art Magazine is a practical and educational resource for collectors. Through previews of gallery and museum exhibitions, art fairs throughout the country and historic American art auctions, collectors can learn where and how to acquire their next piece. In-depth features by leading scholars and special sections devoted to specific genres and movements provide context and knowledge as you continue to build your collection.
Begin with what genuinely interests you. You may be drawn to the grand landscapes of the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, illustration, Modernism, Western art or a particular region or time period. As you learn more, connections between artists and movements across the centuries and the country begin to emerge.
American Fine Art Magazine regularly explores individual artists, artistic movements and museum exhibitions, helping collectors understand the historical context surrounding the work and discover collecting areas they may not have previously considered. Through historical features, Collector’s Focus sections, and museum and exhibition coverage, the magazine also shows how curators and scholars interpret these movements today.
There is no single formula to determine the value of an individual artwork. Artist popularity, quality, rarity, condition, provenance, exhibition history, subject matter, size, medium and auction results can all influence value. Even works by the same artist can vary significantly in price.
For important acquisitions, knowledgeable gallery owners, auction specialists and qualified appraisers can provide valuable guidance. American Fine Art Magazine gives collectors additional market perspective through coverage of gallery shows, auctions, art fairs, significant works coming to market and expert voices discussing collecting trends.
For important acquisitions, knowledgeable gallery owners, auction specialists and qualified appraisers can provide valuable guidance. American Fine Art Magazine gives collectors additional market perspective through coverage of gallery shows, auctions, art fairs, significant works coming to market and expert voices discussing collecting trends.
They are extremely important. Provenance—the documented history of an artwork’s ownership—can help establish authenticity, historical importance and value. Exhibition records, catalogue raisonnés, labels, signatures and previous sales records can all contribute to understanding a work’s significance and history.
Collectors should work with reputable galleries, auction houses and recognized experts when considering significant acquisitions. American Fine Art Magazine connects collectors with respected resources while helping readers become more knowledgeable about artists, institutions and scholarship, making them better prepared to ask the right questions before purchasing.
All three are important parts of the art market, but developing relationships with trusted galleries can be one of the most valuable resources for a collector. Specialists often have decades of knowledge about artists, provenance, private collections and works that may never appear publicly at auction. They will also come to understand your collecting profile and may be among the first to know when a piece of interest comes to market.
Art fairs allow collectors to visit numerous respected dealers and explore a wide variety of historic artwork in one location, while auctions can provide access to works from private collections and estates in a bidding environment. American Fine Art Magazine covers galleries, fairs, auctions and major exhibitions so collectors can research the marketplace before deciding where and what to buy.
Art fairs allow collectors to visit numerous respected dealers and explore a wide variety of historic artwork in one location, while auctions can provide access to works from private collections and estates in a bidding environment. American Fine Art Magazine covers galleries, fairs, auctions and major exhibitions so collectors can research the marketplace before deciding where and what to buy.
Important American art can be found throughout the country. New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Santa Fe, Scottsdale and other established art markets offer significant galleries, museums, auction houses and art fairs.
Museums are especially important to understanding historic American art. American Fine Art Magazine provides extensive coverage of museum exhibitions and collections across the United States, giving collectors opportunities to see masterworks, discover lesser-known artists and understand how individual works and artists fit within the larger story of American art.
Museums are especially important to understanding historic American art. American Fine Art Magazine provides extensive coverage of museum exhibitions and collections across the United States, giving collectors opportunities to see masterworks, discover lesser-known artists and understand how individual works and artists fit within the larger story of American art.
Museums provide context that the marketplace alone cannot. A museum exhibition can bring together works from public institutions and private collections, reveal new scholarship and allow collectors to see an artist’s development across an entire career.
For collectors, these exhibitions can deepen knowledge and sometimes renew interest in artists or movements that have been overlooked. American Fine Art Magazine provides advance coverage of exhibitions around the country, helping collectors decide what they want to see and where they want to travel.
For collectors, these exhibitions can deepen knowledge and sometimes renew interest in artists or movements that have been overlooked. American Fine Art Magazine provides advance coverage of exhibitions around the country, helping collectors decide what they want to see and where they want to travel.
American Fine Art Magazine brings together the marketplace and scholarship of American art. Gallery Previews introduce significant works and exhibitions; Museum & Exhibition coverage provides access to important shows and scholarship; Art Fair Previews help collectors prepare before attending; and Collector’s Focus and historical features explore artists, periods and movements in greater depth.
The goal is to help collectors understand not only what is available, but why the artwork matters. The more you understand the history, artist, provenance and context of a work, the more rewarding collecting becomes.
The goal is to help collectors understand not only what is available, but why the artwork matters. The more you understand the history, artist, provenance and context of a work, the more rewarding collecting becomes.
When it comes to collecting valuable historic art, experts often recommend buying with your heart while also using your head. The most important factor is how the artwork makes you feel, but work at this level can also be a significant asset, so its history, quality, market and long-term value should be considered.
Do your research and, when appropriate, consult a knowledgeable gallery expert, auction specialist or qualified appraiser. American Fine Art Magazine provides historical context for artists and movements, coverage of collecting trends, and connections to galleries and dealers whose expertise can help collectors make well-informed decisions.
Do your research and, when appropriate, consult a knowledgeable gallery expert, auction specialist or qualified appraiser. American Fine Art Magazine provides historical context for artists and movements, coverage of collecting trends, and connections to galleries and dealers whose expertise can help collectors make well-informed decisions.
The editorial content in American Fine Art Magazine is selected based on significant exhibitions, scholarship, museum programming, gallery presentations, art fairs, auctions and developments across the American fine art market. Advance notice is important. If you have an upcoming exhibition, important work coming to market, new research or another timely story, send the information to the editorial team as early as possible. The magazine also offers special-section marketing opportunities for galleries, museums, dealers and other organizations that want to connect directly with collectors.
Yes. In addition to the printed magazine, American Fine Art Magazine is available digitally for reading on your devices, with additional editorial content and past articles available on the website. Readers can also follow exhibition, museum, gallery and market content on Facebook and Instagram. The American Art Collective podcast adds another way to explore American art through conversations about exhibitions, artists, galleries, museums and collecting.
Subscribe to American Fine Art Magazine and deepen your knowledge of American art.
Back to Top Subscribe Now