Art

The $192 Billion Gender Gap In Art – Forbes

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2022

The art world has a massive gender pay gap. Works by female artists sell for a fraction of the prices received for comparable works by male artists.

Of the $196.6 billion spent at art auctions between 2008 and 2019, work produced by women accounted for only $4 billion, or around 2% of the total sales. Fortunately, the tide may be turning, and works by female artists are starting to gain more recognition and remuneration.

The gender gap is most striking for works reaping the highest prices, often referred to as blue chip art. For example, the highest price ever paid for a work sold at auction is $450 million for Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi.” The comparable record for a female artist is less than 10% of that value, $44.4 million for Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1.” Since women didn’t have as many opportunities to produce art in da Vinci’s time, this may not be a valid comparison.

Turning to the present time, the record prices attained for works by living artists reveal little has changed. The highest price fetched for a work by a currently living artist is $91 million for Jeff Koons’ “Rabbit.” Jenny Saville’s “Propped” holds the record for a living female artist receiving $12.4 million. Although a large sum, it’s a mere 14% of the dollar amount received for Koons’ work.

And the gender gap doesn’t just apply to multimillion-dollar sales. Using a sample of 1.9 million auction transactions from 1970 to 2016 for 69,189 individual artists, researchers found that work by female artists sells for a whopping 42% less than work by male artists.

Some equally staggering statistics reveal the breadth of the gender gap in the art world:

An analysis of 18 major U.S. art museums found their collections are 87% male and 85% white.
When men sign a work of art, it increases in value compared to a painting that isn’t signed. But when a woman signs a work of art, it decreases in value.
A bestselling art book, often used as a textbook for students, Gombrich’s The Story of Art, mentions just one female artist in its 688 pages, according to Mary Ann Sieghart, host of a BBC documentary on the gender gap in art.
Even in the newest medium, NFTs, there’s a huge gender gap. Only 5% of the money generated from NFTs goes to female artists.

Are Male Artists More Talented Than Female Artists?

With such a dramatic gender gap in art valuation, some may question whether male artists produce more appealing work than female artists. Researchers have concluded that no gender differences in art account for the gender gap in art prices.

To reach this conclusion, researchers presented a computer-generated artwork to study participants and asked them to rate how much they liked the painting. Half of the participants saw a female name listed as the artist below the work, and half saw a male name. In both cases, the painting was the same, computer-generated painting. Participants who had an interest in art and visited museums gave higher ratings when a male artist was listed. This result clearly indicates that the preference for male artwork is a function of gender bias and not differing talent between men and women.

In another study, the researchers showed participants works painted by men and women and asked them to guess the gender of the artist. The participants guessed correctly about 50% of the time, or what you would expect from random guessing. In other words, participants couldn’t tell which paintings had been painted by men and which had been painted by women, indicating that works by men don’t differ in any significant way from that by women.

In the research on gender and artwork, a few differences emerged between paintings by men and women. The most prominent of these differences was that women were less likely than men to paint cattle. But these differences did not account for the gender differences in the valuation of the art.

The fact that male collectors still dominate the traditional art market may also contribute to the preference for male artists. Researchers have found that men and women use different criteria when they value art. When deciding whether to purchase art, men tend to focus more on the artist and the artist’s background, while women pay more attention to the artwork. Male collectors’ emphasis on the artist’s potential may make it harder for underrepresented artists to break into the art world.

An Increase In Interest in Female Artists

Despite the bias against female artists, there is a growing interest in acquiring art by women, and the prices of works by female artists are starting to reflect this trend.

According to a BBC documentary, secondary market prices for work by female artists are rising 29% faster than the prices for art by men (although they are starting from a lower base). In addition, the annual Art Basel and UBS survey of high-net-worth art collectors has found a steady increase in female artists’ representation in collections over the last several years. Female artists now make up 40% of these collections, up from 39% in 2020, 37% in 2019, and 33% in 2018.

Nuria Madrenas, the founder of Tacit, an online gallery and art consultancy featuring exclusively female artists, has also seen an increased interest in diversity. Madrenas says, “I’ve seen an increase in interest for people to have their collections have a broader representation across the board. Not only through the integration of female artists but artists of color and artists in the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve had specific requests from clients for that equal representation when we’re curating works for their spaces.”

Madrenas is also optimistic that younger generations will help level the playing field for underrepresented artists. Often referred to as the Great Wealth Transfer, between now and 2030, an estimated $15.5 trillion of assets will be inherited by the next generations, according to a recent report. According to Madrenas, future generations of art collectors will likely not spend this money on the same pieces as their parents. She says, “We’ve seen that art tastes have shifted from the Boomer generation to Gen X and Millennials. Millennials want to collect from their peers. They want to collect from emerging artists. They’re not necessarily as interested in blue chip art because of the disparities within that space. And they want a collection that’s more diverse.”

For now, works by female artists seem like a promising investment. They’re available at a discounted price and are increasing in value more quickly than art by men. It’s unclear whether this trend is related to collectors seizing an opportunity for increased returns or whether they are truly starting to appreciate work by women—either way, it should create more opportunities for female artists.

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Art

Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork

Published

5 days ago

September 13, 2024

Harry Miller

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.

Alleged Fraud Scheme

Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.

Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.

Massive Seizure of Artworks

In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.

Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.

Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed

In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.

Court Proceedings Ongoing

The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.

Impact on the Local Art Community

The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.

For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.

As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.

While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.

Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.

As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.

Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

1 month ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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