Blue Chip Art: The Ultimate Guide to Profitable Art Investing

Want to invest in art but don't know where to start? You've come to the right place! This ultimate guide to profitable art investing will teach you everything you need to know about blue-chip art and the most lucrative artworks currently on the market.

Historically, the blue-chip art market was only accessible to a few wealthy individuals. blue-chip art has recently become more accessible – and more affordable.

If you're considering investing in art, or are simply interested in the art world, it's important to understand the different types of artwork – including blue-chip art. We'll explore this in this article.

Read on to learn more about blue-chip art, including examples of blue-chip artists, the blue-chip art market, and blue-chip vs. red-chip art.

Together we can explore how you can build a smart portfolio of valuable artworks.

What are blue chip artworks and why should you invest in them?

Blue chip artworks are created by the world's most renowned and respected artists. Due to their rarity and artistic value, they are highly prized and sought after.

What is Blue Chip Art?

The term "blue-chip" originates from the stock market and refers to a stock (or stocks) of a reputable and profitable company. It was first mentioned in 1923 by Dow Jones employee Oliver Gingold. He noted that certain stocks were trading at $200 or more per share and called them "blue-chip stocks" —an allusion to the most valuable poker chips .

In terms of investment, blue-chip stocks are considered an attractive option because the company behind them has a proven track record of success. Since then, the term has been used for stocks that investors trust the most and has also become synonymous with the art world.

Blue-chip art refers to high-quality artworks by established artists—artists with a solid reputation for creating art that appreciates in value over time. Blue-chip artworks typically sell for top prices at auction houses and become a more valuable investment over time. Blue-chip art is considered a safe option for art collectors and art investors .

Because if an artist's previous artworks have steadily increased in value over time, investors are more likely to invest in their art.

Blue-chip art as a safe investment

Investing in blue-chip artworks offers you the assurance that you are investing in something that will retain or even increase its value. The trade in blue-chip artworks takes place at the world's finest auction houses and galleries, thus ensuring a high level of trustworthiness.

However, it is important to be well-informed and closely monitor the market in order to make the best decisions and diversify your portfolio. Understanding trends and developments in the art market is crucial. Overall, blue-chip artworks offer an excellent opportunity to expand your portfolio and make profitable long-term investments.

Blue-Chip Art vs Red-Chip Art

Blue-chip art refers to art with a solid reputation and a track record of success. Red-chip artists, according to research by the Grove Gallery, typically emerging or young artists actively creating work in both the primary and secondary markets. Red-chip art is considered the antithesis of blue-chip art.

Red-chip artists are considered newcomers to the art market and do not enter it through the traditional route. They bypass art galleries and dealers, instead using the internet (e.g., social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok) to promote their work. Rather than building a steady reputation over time, they typically achieve rapid commercial success. Red-chip artists sell their work for astonishing prices, often at auction .

Unlike blue-chip art, red-chip art is neither predictable nor traditional. These artists are not prominent names on the primary market, yet they sell between 200% and 500% of their lots at art auctions.

Some red-chip artists include Issy Wood , Hilary Pecis , and others—artists with a huge online presence and social media following. You can also find red-chip artists who create digital art that can be converted NFTs

High-yielding blue-chip artists

Blue-chip artworks refer to works created by a group of artists with a history of producing art whose value is increasing. They are well-known in the art world and have a solid reputation.

Blue-chip artists can include both active and retired artists, as well as living and deceased artists. , blue-chip artists are those who have made a name for themselves in art history.

Some popular blue-chip artists include Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring , and Pablo Picasso . The political and satirical street artist Banksy could also be considered a blue-chip artist, as his work has steadily increased in value.

Other blue-chip artists include Claude Monet , Qi Baishi , Gerhard Richter , Fu Baoshi , Amedeo Modigliani and many other well-known masters.

The work of blue-chip artists is in high demand – but scarce, making them the focus of bidding wars at art auctions. Their work consistently performs well at auctions, and the value of their artwork will either appreciate or retain its value despite economic fluctuations.

The fundamentals of art investment: The path to becoming a successful investor

To invest successfully in the art world, it is crucial to possess or acquire a solid foundation of knowledge. This includes, among other things, an understanding of the art world, art movements, the artist, and the art market. Before deciding to invest in a particular work of art, you should thoroughly examine it and understand its history and significance.

Furthermore, it is advisable to thoroughly research the artist and their career to understand how their artwork is perceived within the art world. It is equally recommended to closely follow the art market and its developments in order to make an informed decision.

A successful art investor should also have a strong sense of quality and be able to distinguish between originals and forgeries.

With this knowledge, you are ideally equipped to launch your career as a successful art investor.

An insight into the world of the blue chip art market

Works of art known as blue chips are among the most prestigious and valuable in the world and are often found in museums and private collections.

The blue-chip art market is highly selective, and access to the best works can be difficult. To make a successful investment, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest developments and trends in the blue-chip art market.

A suitable strategy is to focus on the works of the most famous artists who already have a long and successful career behind them.

This includes names like Pablo Picasso , Andy Warhol , and Jeff Koons . However, if you decide to invest in blue-chip art, you should also be aware of the risks and challenges associated with this type of investment.

It is important that you do thorough research and seek expert advice before making a decision. Investing in blue-chip art can be both lucrative and risky.

How to identify and evaluate blue-chip artworks

If you want to invest in blue-chip art, you should learn how to identify and evaluate these works of art. A key factor in identifying blue-chip art is the artist's reputation . Blue-chip artists have an established reputation in the art world, and their works can be found in major museums and collections worldwide.

Another important consideration is the rarity of the artwork . Blue-chip artworks are often rare or unique pieces created by renowned artists. When it comes to valuing such art, it is crucial to consider the artwork's condition.

A work of art in good condition can fetch a higher price than one in poor condition. It is also important to consider the artwork's history and to check whether it has been shown in important exhibitions or collections.

The most important rules for a profitable investment in blue chip art

If you intend to invest in blue chip art, there are some important rules to follow in order to make a profitable investment.

First, you should research the art market and the various artists to make an informed decision. Another important rule is to focus on a specific art movement or artist to build expertise and better understand the market.

It is equally advisable to pay attention to the quality of the artworks and only invest in high-quality pieces by renowned artists. One strategy for achieving the best prices is to bid at auctions. Ultimately, you should be patient and not panic if the market slows down.

A long-term perspective is key to a profitable investment in blue-chip art. Patience is key to blue-chip art – it is considered a long-term investment whose profit potential builds up over decades.

It's also important to know where and when to invest in blue-chip art. Focus article "How You Should Invest in Art Now" provides seven key rules .

“What is the right investment strategy?” ARTES art gallery investigated this question

Alternatives to direct investments in blue-chip artworks

If you decide to invest in art, you don't necessarily have to invest directly in blue-chip artworks. There are various alternatives for investing in the art world and achieving a high return.

Blue-chip artworks are not only available at auction houses, but can also be acquired through fractional ownership. Here, you purchase shares in the portfolio of other art investors and become a co-owner of the artwork. For this reason, the blue-chip art market has become more accessible to those who don't have millions of euros in the bank.

The average value of art is steadily rising – and the Artprice Global Index indicates that the value of art has increased by a remarkable 30% in the last two decades. If you're new to the art world, you might want to start small – investing in art, regardless of the type, carries risk.

Investor platforms for investment shares in art

Digital platforms like Masterworks.io allow you to buy and sell fractions of different types of artwork, so you don't have to write a large check for a single piece of art.

Masterworks is a great option, especially for inexperienced art investors, as they do most of the work for you. Masterworks buys paintings and sells shares to investors to keep you informed about the progress of your investment. The platform provider functions similarly to a fund manager in the stock market, acquiring blue-chip art at auctions on behalf of its investors.

He establishes a holding company for each artwork in order to acquire, store, promote, and resell it for profit. This company is registered with the SEC and issues shares to those who wish to invest in that particular artwork.

Securitization of artworks makes investments in art more affordable and the market for artwork shares more liquid. Investors can buy and sell shares much more easily than buying and selling the artworks themselves. Of course, a fee is charged for Masterworks' services.

With Masterworks, you don't own the artwork in the physical sense and don't need to worry about anything else. You can also spread the risk across multiple works, artists, or styles.

You and several other investors acquire shares in high-quality works of art, which are verified for authenticity by experts. Masterworks does not have specific minimum investment amounts; these vary depending on the specific investment offers available at the time of your investment.

Similar marketplaces include Maecenas (where you can buy shares in paintings) and Saatchi Art (where you can browse and buy works directly online).

Art investments with the Grove Gallery

If you're looking to revamp your art portfolio or simply want to make some valuable additions to your existing collection, our team of experts is here to help. You can use our art consultation service to identify the best pieces for you, or simply browse the pieces we have on display.

With Grove Gallery, you can invest a minimum of £5,000 and benefit from the assistance of our dedicated experts. We can advise you on the best artworks to invest in for capital growth. With short-, medium-, and long-term investment opportunities and growth rates ranging from 4.20% to 11.30%, Grove Gallery a great place to browse and buy art.

Another option is to acquire shares in art funds or art ETFs

Another option is to buy artwork from emerging artists or from emerging art markets. However, it's crucial that you do your research and make the right choices.

Another option is to acquire limited edition artworks or collector's items, which are in high demand and can therefore generate a good return.

To achieve the best result, it is of great importance that you inform yourself well and seek advice before making any art investment.

Why should you invest in blue-chip artworks right now?

Because these artworks come from well-known and established artists who have a high market value and generally hold their value well or even increase in value. The value trends of recent years speak for themselves, showing double-digit percentage increases per year.

Furthermore, they are often part of museum and private collections and possess a long history and reputation. The exclusivity and value of blue-chip artworks are also heightened by their rarity and difficulty in acquiring them. Investing in blue-chip artworks allows you not only to secure a stable and lucrative investment but also to acquire aesthetically pleasing works of art.

Final words

You have now read the ultimate guide to profitable art investing. We are confident that you now have a better understanding of what constitutes blue-chip art and how you can successfully invest in this type of art.

It is crucial that you conduct thorough research and carefully plan your investments. Should you decide to invest in blue-chip art, it is important to think long-term and be patient.

However, if you have done your homework, the investment can be extremely rewarding.

We wish you the best of luck and success on your path to a profitable art investment!