How To Value Art: A Guide To Art Pricing & Appraisals
MyArtBroker © 2025
MyPortfolio
Understanding how to value art – often called an art appraisal – is essential for any collector or seller. Art valuation means determining what a piece is truly worth in today’s market, combining market data and specialist insight. Unlike real estate or stocks, valuing art requires balancing cultural significance with real-time demand and condition. Here’s a guide to how art is valued, and insights into how we value prints and editions at MyArtBroker.
What is Art Valuation?
Art valuation is a process which determines the value of a work of art. The practice of valuing art involves the estimation of Fair Market Value (FMV), determined through qualitative analyses by art specialists and advisors. Unlike more traditional modes of financial valuation, art valuation is much more nuanced art: requiring a combination of technological prowess and human touch.
Ultimately, art valuation is about much more than assigning monetary value to an artwork. It is about recognising the historical and cultural significance that art represents, and ensuring that it is valued accordingly.
At MyArtBroker, we combine human expertise with data insights from our proprietary algorithm, built specifically for prints and editions. It analyses over 30 years of auction history from over 400 houses, private sale data, and collector demand. The result is a valuation that’s transparent, data-led, and tailored to your specific print.
MyArtBroker © 2025Factors That Affect The Value of Artwork
Though art valuations may be considered subjective, everal universal factors can influence the value of an artwork. Some of the most important factors include:
Artist Influence & Reputation
The reputation of an artist has an enormous impact on the value of their artworks. Artists with a strong influence, who are widely recognised and have a large, historical following, can command higher monetary value for their work.
At MyArtBroker, we deal specifically with reputable blue chip artists who have public and private sales history. Typically deemed a more viable investment than emerging artists sold via the primary art market, blue chip artists sold on the secondary market are likely to have a higher financial value because of their established significance. Artists like Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Keith Haring have a particular authority in the history of art and its market, yielding higher valuations as a result.
Subject Matter
The subject matter of an artwork - the thing depicted by an artist - is also an important factor to consider when valuing an artwork. Specific subject matter by an artist will command a higher value than others, thanks to their art historical significance and also their popularity in the art market. For example, Warhol's iconic Marilyn Monroe signed print editions are immensely popular and valuable because they depict the iconic actress. Warhol's paintings and prints of Monroe are practically synonymous with the Pop Artist himself - much like his Soup Cans - which contributes greatly to their monetary value.
When the subject matter of a print or series is less celebrated or acknowledged, its value is typically lower than the more commercially popular subjects. However, this presents an exciting opportunity for collectors and investors who want to purchase artworks by a specific artist, at a lower price-point of entry. Haring's The Story Of Red And Blue series, for example, is typically sold at a lower value than his most popular prints - allowing collectors to acquire Haring's work at a lower price.
Condition
Perhaps one of the most crucial factors when valuing an artwork is condition. If an artwork is in pristine condition, with no visible damage, it will generally be valued higher than an artwork that is in poor condition. When appraising an artwork, specialists will typically look for discolouration, visible marks or tears and any damage to the structural integrity of the artwork. Of course, if such damage is present, the artwork will be valued significantly lower than examples in better condition.
Provenance
The sales and acquisition history of an artwork is also a core element of art valuation. Artworks which have a healthy track record at auction will be valued higher than those which have failed to sell at auction in the past, which face the risk of being ‘burned’. Likewise, if similar works have been sold by an artist, this is usually a good indicator when valuing works with less provenance. Though provenance is not essential for an artwork to be valuable, it certainly contributes to healthy value growth.
Rarity
Though a small volume of artworks can sometimes be of detriment to an artist's market, rarity drives value growth. Artwork that is rare or unique can be particularly valuable. If an artist has only produced a limited number of works, or if a particular piece is the only one of its kind, it can command a high price. Artist Proofs and Trial Proofs, for example, are typically valued higher as one-offs. Likewise, the fewer prints in an edition, the more rare and valuable they are likely to be.
MyArtBroker © 2025Valuing Art with MyArtBroker's Algorithm: Identifying Trends and Maximising Returns on Artwork
MyArtBroker specialises exclusively in modern and contemporary prints and editions, meaning every service we offer is built with this market in mind. At the heart of our approach is our proprietary algorithm, which tracks data from over 400 auction houses alongside verified private sales and collector demand. You’re seeing a figure informed by both the 34% of sales that happen at auction and the 66% that happen behind closed doors in private sales.
You can find out more about the inner workings of our algorithm in this interview with a financial quant who contributed to it's development.
But data alone isn’t enough. That’s why every expert valuation we deliver is backed by our team of in-house specialists, who bring critical insight on condition, provenance, edition nuance, and market timing.
Our platform, tools, and team are here to support you at every stage of collecting. From tracking your prints with MyPortfolio, to receiving an instant valuation, to having an in-depth consultation with a specialist, MyArtBroker makes the valuation process transparent and tailored.
How to Get Your Art Appraised at MyArtBroker
MyArtBroker offers two types of valuation, both free and with no obligation to sell:
- Expert Valuation – A personalised appraisal by our in-house specialists for artworks that offers the highest level of accuracy. One of our specialist brokers will evaluate your piece, considering all relevant factors like condition, provenance, and current demand. We typically deliver expert valuations within 48 hours of your request . This service is also free and comes with no strings attached – there’s absolutely no obligation to sell with us after getting the valuation.
- Instant Valuation – An immediate online valuation generated by our algorithm. If your artwork is among those we track with sufficient market data (typically blue chip prints and editions with established sales history), you can receive an instant price estimate. It’s perfect for a rapid check on value and is available 24/7. (Example: You own a popular Banksy print – by entering the details, you will get a fast estimate based on the latest market data.)
How to Get Your Art Appraised at MyArtBroker
In conversation with Celine Thompson, MyArtBroker’s Registrar, we explore how to get your art appraised with us:
Q: Erin-Atlanta Argun: Why should I get my prints and editions valued at MyArtBroker?
Celine Thompson: You should get your prints valued with MyArtBroker because we will give you the facts about the most recent market results, delivered with a level of transparency you won’t find on any other free platform. Our valuations are backed by real data and expertise, rather than just opinion. Unlike some services that only look at auction records, we incorporate both auction and private sale data – essentially the entire market – so you get a true 360° view of your artwork’s value.
Q: EA: Can you find out the value of your entire art collection using MyArtBroker’s MyPortfolio?
CT: MyPortfolio can show you a rough aggregate value of your full collection at a glance, but of course this is not an expert valuation for each piece. Think of the MyPortfolio estimate as an automated instant valuation for your entire collection – a convenient starting point. If you would like an in-depth, expert valuation of each artwork in your collection, all you have to do is ask and our specialists will be happy to provide it. The platform gives you oversight of your collection’s total value, and then our team can drill down into specifics with you. This combination of a tech tool and human expertise is there to make sure you have both a broad overview and detailed appraisals where needed.
Q: EA: How can MyPortfolio help to know when to sell your artwork?
CT: MyPortfolio is a fantastic tool for monitoring market trends and seeing real-time changes in value – but it can only take you so far. To understand if it is truly the right time to sell a particular artwork, I’d recommend speaking with one of our specialists. Data and charts are incredibly useful, but they don’t replace the intuition and experience of a specialist who tracks collector sentiment and off-market developments. Facts and figures can signal opportunities, but real understanding of the market comes from conversation and discussion.
Q: EA: How do the specialists calculate the value of an artwork?
CT: Our specialists calculate the value of your piece using a wide range of factors. We look at where the piece has been historically (its past sales and ownership), the edition size, how recognised the artist is, current market demand, and much more – the list is endless. The important thing to understand is that valuation is not an exact science, and the art market is fluid. Values can change with trends or economic shifts, which is why we continually update our approach. All of our specialists work directly with clients and stay close to the market’s pulse.
Q: EA: With changing tariffs on international imports, how might this affect the value of my artwork?
CT: It won't necessarily impact the inherent value of the artwork, however the difference will be in what you pay for it. While the artwork itself may be valued at £10,000, you may end up paying £10,500 if there is import. Overall, things are not worth more now, they simply cost more.
Q: EA: How are recent economic uncertainties and shifting collector behaviors influencing the valuation of artworks?
CT: In times of economic uncertainty, collectors often reassess the value of their luxury assets. Because artworks are typically non-liquid assets, some may choose to sell them sooner than planned to access funds. If a significant number of collectors decide that holding onto a particular piece is no longer financially viable, this can lead to more works entering the market. As supply increases, demand may not keep pace, ultimately putting downward pressure on valuations.
Take Damien Hirst’s H10 series, for example. Many collectors bought these pieces as investments, expecting their value to rise. However, recent economic pressures have led some to sell at a loss, even if they don't necessarily need the money. This creates a difficult dynamic where the artwork’s perceived value declines, not because there is anything inherently wrong with the artwork, but because the broader financial context has changed.
Why is Art Valuation Important?
Accurately valuing your art is crucial for making informed decisions about your collection. If you’re considering selling your artwork, a professional valuation will tell you what a fair asking price is in today’s market, so you don’t undersell a masterpiece or overprice something and struggle to find a buyer. Even if you’re not selling immediately, knowing the value is important for insurance coverage – you want your policy to reflect the true replacement cost of your pieces. For collectors and investors, regular valuations help in tracking the performance of art as an asset: you can see which pieces have appreciated and by how much, informing your overall investment strategy.
This is especially true in the current economic climate, where factors like inflation and market liquidity are in flux. A few years ago, art markets saw a surge, but more recently we’ve observed a slight softening at the high end and a more selective appetite among buyers. Staying updated on your art’s value ensures you can respond wisely to market changes. For instance, if macroeconomic conditions lead many collectors to sell at once, prices for certain works might temporarily dip with the increased supply. An up-to-date appraisal will alert you to such shifts – perhaps signalling that it could be a good time to buy (while prices are softer) or conversely to hold off on selling until the market tightens again. As will always be the case, a valuation helps you differentiate between an artwork’s intrinsic market value and extrinsic costs or pressures.
