What to Check Before Buying Art on Artsy

Artsy is an online art marketplace where you can browse over 1 million artworks from 4,000+ galleries and top auction houses. Before you commit to a purchase, verify four things: the price and how it compares to market data, who the seller is, how the buying and delivery process works, and the condition and edition details of the specific work. The sections below cover what to look for and where on the site to find it.

Price: What the Listing Shows and What the Price Database Adds

Art listings on Artsy may show a fixed price, a price range, or "price on request" — the platform does not guarantee that every work displays a public price. Before buying:

• Check whether the listed price is final. Shipping, taxes, and any framing costs may sit outside the displayed figure. Confirm the total with the seller or in the checkout flow before paying.
• Use the Price Database as a reference point. Artsy maintains a Price Database that aggregates auction results. If you are considering a work by an artist with an auction record, comparing the asking price against recent comparable sales at auction helps you judge whether the ask is reasonable.
• Distinguish primary-market from secondary-market pricing. A new work sold directly by the artist's gallery is priced by the gallery; a work resold through an auction house reflects bidding. The two are not directly comparable, so match your comparison to the right market.

Seller: Gallery or Auction House

Artsy works with galleries and auction houses, and the seller type changes what you are buying and how.

Before buying, confirm the seller's identity on the listing page and check whether the work is offered by the gallery that represents the artist or by a third party. A work sold by the artist's own gallery carries a clearer chain of provenance than one passing through an intermediary.

Buying Process, Shipping, and Returns

Artsy's Buying on Artsy support section is the place to confirm the mechanics before you pay. Key points to check:

• How the transaction completes. Some works are purchased directly through Artsy; others route you to the gallery or auction house. Know which applies before entering payment details.
• Shipping arrangements. Who ships, who insures the work in transit, and who bears the cost if the work arrives damaged. For high-value works, confirm insurance is in place before the work leaves the seller.
• Return policy. Return windows and conditions vary by seller. Confirm the window and any restocking or shipping costs you would bear on a return.

Authenticity, Edition, and Condition

These details determine what you actually own and are the most common source of post-purchase disputes.

• Authenticity and provenance. Ask for documentation: a certificate of authenticity, prior ownership history, or gallery invoices. For secondary-market works, provenance is the main evidence of authenticity.
• Edition information. For prints, photographs, and multiples, confirm the edition size, the number of the specific impression you are buying, and whether it is an artist's proof. An edition of 200 and an edition of 5 are different assets.
• Condition. Request a condition report, especially for older or fragile works. For auction purchases, the condition report is typically available on request and should be read before bidding.

A Practical Pre-Purchase Checklist

Run through these before paying:

1. Confirm the total price, including shipping and any fees.
2. Compare the ask against the Price Database for artists with auction records.
3. Identify the seller and their relationship to the artist.
4. Read the buying, shipping, and return terms for that specific transaction.
5. Request authenticity documentation, edition details, and a condition report.
6. Confirm who insures the work in transit.

If any of these cannot be confirmed, treat that as a reason to ask more questions before buying rather than a detail to resolve afterward.