How To Buy Folk Art Painting Online?
Folk art comprises art produced by indigenous communities like that of peasants, labourers, etc. It is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic. Folk Art is characterized by an unconventional style wherein traditional rules of proportion and perspective are not usually followed. Given the rising popularity of folk art, it is now being sold at both online and brick-and-mortar galleries. However, sometimes you may end up buying fake folk-art paintings if you do not know the prerequisites about how to buy folk art painting online. Here are a few suggestions to help you do so with ease and confidence. Please read below.
1.Research: The internet is the first research tool that you should use. Gather information on different types of folk art and then zero in on one type that you would like to buy. Once you have shortlisted the few you like, go for detailed research. Read art magazines and visit art museums to explore more about these folk art-forms.
2.Artist’s Profile: If you are planning to buy a painting based on the profile of the artist, explore the history of his or her work. Check the body of work created by the artist. Compare the piece to other pieces by the same artist to help you separate genuine work from fake. You may also consult an art expert to know more about characteristics of an artist’s work. For example, the themes, patterns, colour schemes, etc. This way you can be sure whether the painting you have bought is an authentic piece or not.
3.Verification of Old Paintings: As explained in an article on ebay.com, “paintings age differently depending on what they are made of, and pottery is preserved based on its storage location and the amount of humidity in the atmosphere. Typical signs of aging can be artificially created, and fakes are sometimes very difficult for the average buyer to spot.”
4.Location: Not many people know that even the location where the artwork has been created may help identify a fake folk painting. For example, a painting created in a humid area may have uneven texture in terms of colours which dried out. These little nuances may, in fact, be the markers of genuine work.
5.Raw Materials Used: As explained on ebay.com, “production materials can be helpful to take note of. Folk art is often made of naturally occurring wood or stone, for example. The authenticity of the art then becomes questionable if a buyer is presented with a piece made from a different type of wood or stone than the varieties found in the supposed area of origin.”
6.Gallery: Whether an online gallery or an art store, no matter where you buy a folk painting from; make sure that you choose a reputed seller. Talk to existing buyers to get feedback on the paintings that have been purchased. Further, a well-known gallery is likely to have a variety of artworks because artists also choose to sell their work through reputed galleries only.
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