A history of the western art market : a sourcebook of writings on artists, dealers, and markets / edited by Titia Hulst.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Art in a commercial world -- Artists and collectors in the market for art -- The Italian City-States -- Antwerp -- Amsterdam -- Germany and Spain -- London -- Paris -- Art consumption in industrial America -- New York -- The global art market.

"This is the first sourcebook to trace the emergence and evolution of art markets in the Western European economy, framing them within the larger narrative of the ascendancy of capitalist markets. Selected writings from across academic disciplines present compelling evidence of art's inherent commercial dimension and show how artists, dealers, and collectors have interacted over time, from the city-states of Quattrocento Italy to the high-stakes markets of postmillennial New York and Beijing. This approach casts a startling new light on the traditional concerns of art history and aesthetics, revealing much that is provocative, profound, and occasionally even comic. This volume's unique historical perspective makes it appropriate for use in college courses and postgraduate and professional programs, as well as for professionals working in art-related environments such as museums, galleries, and auction houses."--Provided by publisher.