Dealing in splendour: A History of the European Art Market

The mechanisms and phenomena of the modern and contemporary art market have existed for centuries. The production of copies and series was already a proven strategy for increasing efficiency in ancient Rome, a strategy that reached its peak in the 19th century. Mass-produced goods were exported on a large scale as early as 17th-century Antwerp, with dealers profiting from international networks and shipping their wares worldwide. Focusing on centers of innovation, influential figures, and i...