From the Gallery Director
From Vol 2 Issue 5 - September, 2000
Q: I'm thinking of buying some art on-line. Is this a good idea or would you recommend going to a walk-in gallery?
A: Thank you for asking for my opinion on this matter. There are some issues in regards to buying original art online.
First, it is important to realize that the color and contrast of the image you see on your monitor screen will not accurately reflect the actual art object's color. Computer monitors have multiple ways of displaying color and contrast and there are hundreds of different types of monitors, all displaying color and contrast in different ways.
Also, the image on your monitor is being displayed at a very low resolution which effectively makes small details impossible to see. A monitor display will only give you a very general idea of what the artwork actually looks like.
Second, the quality of the object, i.e., how well it has been created, particularly in regards to materials used, how they have been applied, their current state of repair, etc cannot be judged by viewing an online image.
So, to sum up, what you see online is not an accurate depiction of the actual artwork. In some cases you will be disappointed by the actual artwork. However, in most cases I think you would find that the actual artwork will be far superior, in every way, than the picture on your monitor.
I do believe that purchasing original artworks online can be a rewarding experience, providing that the individual, company or online gallery you are purchasing from offers a "no questions asked" return for full refund policy. This will provide you with an opportunity to view the actual artwork at your leisure in your home or office, prior to making your final buying decision.
I would suggest that before making a purchase online of any original artwork over $400 that you ask and receive in writing (e-mail is fine) a guarantee that if you are not satisfied with the artwork, for any reason, that you will be able to return it for a prompt refund. I would also ask for the phone # and e-mail addresses of 2 references from recent customers, that you can phone or e-mail to get their recommendations.
Most online businesses will be able to meet these requests, although shipping charges are typically paid by the purchaser and are not refundable.
Online shopping offers some very good general benefits such as the convenience of at-home-shopping, a much larger selection of artwork then you would ever see by visiting local art galleries and prices that are substantially less then you would pay in an actual gallery for equivalent artworks.
To sum up, I would not shy away from buying online, provided you are able to get guarantees and references.
I hope this has been helpful. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact me directly by email:
rlj@MillenniumArtGallery.com
Best Wishes and Inspirations.
