BUYING FINE ART ONLINE

The evolution of buying original art: the elite world of art has slowly been opening its doors and becoming more accessible to the masses, but not by condoning mass-produced art. Finding, purchasing, and collecting original art is becoming more achievable as platforms that connect buyers with artists develop.

As the online art market matures, credible options for buying originals have surfaced, causing many savvy art buyers to ask: why buy prints when you can own an original? There is truly nothing quite like the feeling of owning something unique—knowing that only one exists in the entire world, handcrafted, with a story behind it all its own. So why hang the same print as your neighbor when, for a similar price, you can get an original? The increased credibility of online shops is encouraging top collectors, designers, and art lovers to explore making those one-of-a-kind purchases online.

Online galleries are not a compromise to their brick-and-mortar predecessors, but an evolution. While physical galleries offer a positive experience all their own, when online marketplaces are done to a high standard, there is room for both to flourish.

Early adopters, including interior designers and collectors, have seen the light and have been taking advantage of buying art online for years. Slowly, the secret is getting out.

Zatista.com is becoming one of the leading platforms to buy art online, linking artists with art lovers and deconstructing the stigma of curated art and high-end retail galleries. In the world of art, Zatista understands the rarity of original work and is taking a stand for the original.

But how do you make such a highly individual and taste-dependent purchase online? It's easier than you think, and anyone can now buy and collect art intelligently, with no previous education or experience required.

There are many advantages to purchasing original art online from a proven, established online gallery such as Zatista, including:

Selection – Something for Everyone

The best online galleries give you access to artists from all over the world, far beyond the reach of the brick-and-mortar galleries you can visit in person. Without the restrictions of square footage and wall space, online platforms will always have more selection and, by extension, more variety. A curated gallery strives for a cohesive selling space, which can mean being restricted at times to specific genres, mediums, or artists. Online galleries can offer cohesion and selection without chaos or sacrifice.

Zatista presents strong collections in a wide range of mediums and styles—from paintings to mixed media and select photography—featuring modern and contemporary pieces as well as landscapes, Impressionist works, and realism. They have cutting-edge art that pushes boundaries as well as more conservative pieces. With a range of styles, mediums, and price points spanning 5,000+ original works, there is truly something for everyone and every occasion. Top galleries such as Zatista are making it possible for a greater number of people to own an original.

Curation – Exclusive Access to Curated Art Collections

The best online galleries are still highly curated, just like their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Zatista displays art from talented emerging and established artists from around the world—so you can be confident that everything you encounter is high quality.

Their team's curation process carefully hand-selects only the highest-quality works, and many of the pieces showcased on Zatista aren't even available in galleries. With artist acceptance rates lower than 7%, they are even more selective than the Ivy League. Working closely with artists from over twenty countries, Zatista has become a launch pad for artistic careers. From a buyer's perspective, it is a hotbed for discovering new talent.

Peace of Mind – Try Art Risk-Free

You would not purchase a car before taking it for a test drive. The same goes for art— you want to see that it fits in a space, especially if you are viewing it on a computer screen. It is a misconception that experiencing an artwork in person is completely sacrificed when buying online. Many online galleries will loan a work, with the artist's permission, so you have a chance to "test-drive" the piece. Others offer tools that let you superimpose the work into a room to experience it virtually.

Zatista, for example, goes above and beyond with a risk-free guarantee. You can try art risk-free in your home with the benefit of free returns. They also offer free shipping (to the U.S.). The result is lots of happy customers.

Flexibility – Browse on Your Own Time

Picture having your own key to the most exclusive galleries in the world. Browsing online is the next best thing. Gallery hours are whatever you make them, and the convenience is unparalleled. You can just as easily browse at 3 AM with a glass of wine or 5 AM with a cup of coffee.

Creating a home and personal space that is distinctly our own is becoming more and more important. We want the one-of-a-kind coffee table from that little antique store, or the vintage sign hanging in the hallway that reminds us of a favorite soda from childhood. Interior design and decoration is no longer simply coordinating your home to the standards of current design trends, but passionately creating a space in which we live our daily lives. We all want to be surrounded by things we absolutely adore, and the goal at Zatista is to help you find that piece you truly love. By investing in original art—and doing so online—you are shopping for something exceptional, in the comfort of your own home, with the purpose of making your home truly one-of-a-kind, just like you.

We've worked closely with Zatista.com for years—visit them and discover what they have to offer.
Other exclusively online galleries include: Artsy, Saatchi Art, Singulart, Artfinder, and 1stDibs.

OTHER ART COLLECTING INFORMATION

Art Collecting Tips
Collecting art for love and profit is one of life's great pleasures.
Where do you start? When should you buy? Here are ten tips to help you get started collecting fine art.

Protecting Art Purchases
Learn how to protect your artwork and your art investment.

Internet Art Collecting Resources
Also, be sure to explore our site for art resources and our online gallery guides.