What Am I Really Paying for when Buying From an Art Gallery?
Art galleries everywhere seem to carry an air of mystique, elegance, and, unfortunately, intimidation.
The term “Fine” or “White Glove” when accompanied by “Art Gallery” can give the impression of pretentiousness that (understandably so) can leave a bad taste in one´s mouth.
Sotheby's. From Art History News
A true art gallery's purpose is not to intimidate, exclude, or be inaccessible. That is why our philosophy here at J. Nunez Gallery is that art is for everyone. It doesn't have to be deep or complicated; if you like it, you like it.
Let's go over some basic questions/concerns most people have surrounding visiting a gallery, looking for a piece, buying, framing, installing, etc.
1. Do I need any preparation or prior knowledge before browsing a gallery?
Some galleries, such as The Marshall Art Gallery, recommend that buyers should:
“know what they want before making their way through the door.”
While I agree that knowing your taste is helpful and can steer you in the right direction to finding a piece you will like, it is not explicitly necessary for a productive visit.
Here at J. Nunez Gallery, we welcome all types of people, in all stages of their art collection journey. The founder of the gallery, Jesus Nunez, is here in person to help every individual client, even if that means helping to discover your personal taste in art. We are a contemporary art gallery carrying abstract, non-abstract art, and fine photography, known for our unique, colorful pieces. Based on your personal preferences, available space, and budget, we make sure to find the perfect piece for you!
And no, just because you enter our gallery, we do not expect you to or will pressure you to buy. Casual browsing is just fine.
J. Nunez Gallery, Millburn, New Jersey
2. Who am I supporting when I buy from a gallery?
No matter what gallery you buy from, your money goes to supporting a talented individual, a creative business, and enriching the cultural wealth of the world. Based on the types of artists they carry, this will be reflected in the price. Often, emerging artists are on the cheaper end compared to well-established artists who have a trademarked name to raise their value.
For us, we believe in uplifting emerging artists, specifically female artists, prioritizing local talent. We carry over 50 artists between our 2 locations, well over half being women. Supporting marginalized groups is at the core of our identity as a gallery because we believe in giving back. Beyond supporting our incredibly talented repertoire of artists, you are supporting a small local business that believes in ethical and moral practices. We price all works fairly to protect our artists, our marketing team is made up of young creative people looking to make a difference, and we run a charity project, “Love Always” where a portion of the proceeds of every piece sold will go towards a non-profit's mission.
Love in a Taxi, J. Nunez Gallery
3. Why is fine art so expensive?
Have you ever thought this when looking at an artwork: “It’s nice, but doesn't really seem worth all that money…”
You are not at fault for thinking this! The complexities of art gallery pricing are often underrepresented. What is most important to realize is that pricing is not random. As said by Laura Isaza, artist and writer for Lia Gallery:
“An artwork's price reflects a combination of artistic, professional, and market factors.”
Usually, the more established the artist is in their career, the higher their works are priced.
Leonardo da Vinci "Salvator Mundi". Photo: Wikimedia Commons. From AD Middle East.
This is the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction for $450.3 million!
At J. Nunez gallery, we believe in supporting emerging artists, even if it means we can´t sell their pieces for as much as an established one. We fight to keep our prices affordable in and sustainable. When you buy from us, you are buying the work the gallery does for you and the talent of the artist; you are buying a partnership. We custom-tailor the whole purchasing process from start to finish for the unique client we are servicing.
Some of our custom services include:
Personal walk through the gallery with Jesus to find a piece you like
At-home delivery and installation of your chosen work
Trying out an artwork at home before purchasing
Mockups of how different works would look in your space
4. Can I get/ask for a discount at a gallery?
Although most galleries do not offer discounts on their artwork, there is no harm in politely asking. Some galleieres may feel more obliged to accept a discount request if you are a repeat customer, yet there is no guarantee. As a general rule, said by the Artsy Primer Digest,
“the standard discount rate is between 5% and 15%¨, and rarely offered on artworks under $1,000.”
For our gallery, we have a policy of no discounts and no returns. This is not in an effort to be unaccommodating, but rather because we value our artists’ time and the materials used to craft all their beautiful works. All works here are original and hand-painted by the artist. As for returns, we aim to send every artwork to a space where it will be truly appreciated and admired for years, if not generations, to come. We want you to not only visually like the piece, but emotionally connect with it and value it for more than just decor.
One of our artists, Sandra Di Leo painting. From Twist Gallery.
5. What if I really like a piece but am just not sure?
Some galleries offer “try at home” services that allow you to see how the artwork would look in your house before buying. Individual terms and conditions apply, such as how far you live from the gallery, how long you can keep the piece, how transportable it is, etc. The appeal of this service is buyers’ confidence; once you know it works in your space, you can move forward with no regrets or questions.
We offer this service and more for this exact reason. While we do offer “try at home” this is usually limited to people who live within the general area in New Jersey. Fit with a lease document allowing you to take the piece home for a few days. On numerous occasions, Jesus has taken the artwork in his car and installed it himself for clients to try. Additionally, we do allow reservations for artworks, up to a week, ensuring no one else can buy the piece while you are still debating. Finally, we allow visitors to take pictures at our gallery, whether it be to share with a loved one or just to keep and admire.
