Contemporary art includes works created from roughly 1945 to the present day. This broad category includes everything from paintings, to mid-century prints, to digital photography and mixed media pieces.
If you’ve inherited artwork or are downsizing your collection, you may have contemporary art that could perform well at auction.
Why Sell Contemporary Art at a Specialized Auction?
Estate sales often include contemporary art, but they usually aren’t the best place for selling it. Auctions specifically focused on contemporary art can reach collectors who seek works from certain periods, movements, or artists. A collector looking for contemporary ceramics or sculpture probably won’t attend a general estate sale, but is likely to follow dedicated contemporary art auctions.
Popular Contemporary Art
Signed prints and limited edition artworks: Lithographs, screenprints, ceramics, and other works produced in numbered editions. (We’ve sold works by Picasso and important 20th-century British artists like William Scott and Barbara Hepworth.)
Photography: Signed photographic prints by well established artists.
Paintings and drawings: Oil paintings, acrylics, and works on paper in various styles and movements.
Sculpture and mixed media: Bronze sculptures, conceptual works using modern materials.
What Makes Contemporary Art Valuable?
- Works by recognized, established artists typically hold more value than pieces by lesser-known artists.
- Condition plays a crucial role since collectors expect contemporary works to be in excellent condition.
- Museum exhibitions, gallery representation, and inclusion in permanent collections all contribute to value. A piece that appeared in a major museum exhibition carries more weight than similar works without exhibition history.
- Original paintings are typically more valuable than works on paper.
- Gallery labels, exhibition catalogs, and certificates of authenticity all support value and help establish provenance.
Unlike antique art, age itself is not a significant factor in the value of contemporary art.
Auction Performance
Contemporary art is a broad category, so it’s no surprise that it has a wide range of performance at auction.
Works by unknown artists, large-edition prints, or pieces in poor condition usually have little value at auction.
The contemporary art market responds to trends and critical reassessment. Artists whose work was modestly valued years ago sometimes experience renewed interest and higher prices.
Given these market shifts, professional evaluation can reveal unexpected value in pieces that may appear unremarkable.
Getting Maximum Value for Your Contemporary Art
We work with clients throughout Central Massachusetts, Greater Boston, and the rest of New England. We run both live art auctions and online art auctions, and can help you get the most for your piece or collection. We’ve turned it into an art.
You can call Central Mass Auctions at 508-612-6111 or email us.
