Many years ago, I had the pleasure of working in Michael Findlay’s wider team, and was lucky enough to learn from him, usually ahead of the London or New York Impressionist and Modern Art auctions. A very approachable, witty and highly renowned expert, Michael always left me in awe of his vast knowledge of art and the art market. I learnt from every conversation, they were informative and entertaining in equal parts.  

Following Oliver Shuttleworth’s suggestion the other day, I re-read The Value of Art. The book gives a fascinating glimpse into the life of someone working in the art world; the chapters are peppered with anecdotes from Michael’s nearly five decades working as an art dealer and art market expert. But crucially, it also goes some way to explain how the art market works, how both commercial and social art values change and why, and the role of the players in it.

Whilst no book will be able to give a complete overview of the art market due to its changing nature and the many opinions in it, The Value of Art provides an informative window into the ever-evolving world of artists, collectors, dealers, auction house specialists, advisors and galleries for those looking to get more insight.