When Art Feels Like a Safe Bet and a Secret Pleasure for Global Collectors
Art collecting among the world’s wealthiest has a curious rhythm: even as global markets wavered in 2023, high-net-worth collectors kept buying, but with a careful eye on the horizon. According to a sweeping Art Basel and UBS survey, 77% of these collectors remain upbeat about the art market’s future, even as they dialed back the share of art in their portfolios from 24% to 19%.
Collectors’ motivations reveal a blend of self-expression and strategy—most aren’t in it just for investment, but nearly half used credit or loans to acquire new works. Paintings continue to dominate their wish lists, while digital art and NFTs saw a steep drop in spending. Women led in median spending, but men still made the biggest splurges. Despite digital options, most collectors preferred the old-school thrill of buying in person at galleries, a trend that only grew stronger last year.
In the world of high-end art, optimism and caution dance together, shaping a market that’s as much about identity as it is about investment.
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