At Art House , our number one pet peeve is that we almost always hear the following misconception from artists: “Reproducing my art will devalue it”. This is entirely untrue, and anyone who tells you otherwise is likely not very clued in on how the economics of the art industry work. We understand that some artists feel that reproductions will devalue their art in terms of how they personally feel about it, and that’s fine. However, when it comes to cold hard cash, art reproductions will, in actual fact, increase the value of the original artwork. Here’s why…

Reproductions send awareness levels skyrocketing

When a piece of art is reproduced, more people have the chance to purchase that piece of art. When more people buy a piece of art, naturally, the number of people exposed to and aware of the artwork increases. Are you with us? As awareness of the art increases, the original artwork becomes more sought after. This desire to own the artwork means the value of the original increases. Think about it, people won’t ever wish to own the original of something that they simply don’t know exists in the first place. Not to get technical on you but it comes down to the basic principles of supply and demand. Reproductions of your artwork expand your market of potential buyers and buyers.

This also makes sense from the perspective of someone who buys your original artwork. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. If you purchased a painting that then became so popular and in such high demand that it was constantly being reproduced, you would likely take great pride in the fact that you owned the only original in existence. Essentially, the reproduction sales directly correlate with an increase in the value of the original.

You can’t fight human nature

Psychology refers to ‘social comparison’ as a trigger for making purchasing decisions, whether it be about art or the latest iPhone. At its very core, this comes from the fact that we’re social beings who learn, from day one, by watching others. This means it’s human nature to see what those around you have and feel more compelled to own those same items than if you simply saw them on a shop shelf. To a certain extent, we all make decisions based on these principles, whether we realise it or not.

It’s a self-propelling cycle

If demand for high-quality reproductions of your art is high or consistently increasing, then that, as we have already pointed out, will boost the value of the original. When your reproductions are in demand and your originals are expensive, your name becomes more of a household name in the art world which, in turn, further serves to boost the value of your originals. It’s all one big cycle which will eventually become self-propelling as long as you continue to produce beautiful artwork and high-quality reproductions.

The most valuable pieces of art are also the most reproduced…

Some of the most valuable pieces of art on the planet are the pieces known by everyone- even those who dislike or don’t appreciate art. The reason they’re so well known is that they’re reproduced time and time again, to the point where they become instantly recognisable. The Mona Lisa is considered by many to be the most valuable piece of art on earth, to the point where many people believe it shouldn’t even have a price tag, yet it’s one of the most heavily reproduced artworks in history. The same goes for Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ and Munch’s ‘The Scream’, as well as hundreds of other famous artworks.

If you’re an artist who would like to have high-quality reproductions of your artwork made, then you won’t find a better reproduction than at Art House. In fact, we’ve often had artists struggle to tell the difference between their original and reproduction. Whether you’re looking to expand your art side hustle or are a full-time artist, get in touch with us today and find out how we can help turn your passion into a successful business.