On this page, you will find a curated collection of books, online courses, podcasts, and films that have influenced my perspective and helped me gain a deep understanding of art history and the structures of the commercial art market. Every resource listed here has been extensively used and vetted by me personally.
I am always keen to learn more. If you have any further recommendations, please share them with me at hello (at) arsethumanitas.com.
Books
Breakfast at Sotheby’s: An A-Z of the Art World
(2014; Philip Hook)
Philip Hook delivers a witty, alphabetical masterclass that brilliantly demystifies the art market by revealing the hidden psychological and financial forces that turn paint into „gold.“
Boom: Mad Money, Mega Dealers, and the Rise of Contemporary Art
(2020; Michael Shnayerson)
Shnayerson delivers a riveting account of how elite dealers and massive wealth fueled the explosive transformation of contemporary art into a high-stakes global commodity.
The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art
(2012; Don Thompson)
Don Thompson offers a fascinating critique of the modern art market, brilliantly explaining how branding and marketing psychology allow a shark in formaldehyde to sell for millions.
Art and Its Market – The Comprehensive Six-Volume Handbook on the Global Art Trade
(2024; Dirk Boll)
Dirk Boll offers the definitive, encyclopedic deep dive into the legal and economic structures that power the modern global art trade.
Management of Art Galleries
(2023; Magnus Resch)
Magnus Resch provides a data-driven, provocative blueprint for gallery success, arguing that traditional models must embrace modern management and transparent marketing to survive.
How to Collect Art
(2024; Magnus Resch)
Magnus Resch provides a practical, data-backed guide that empowers new and seasoned collectors to navigate the art market with financial savvy and strategic transparency.
[German only] Wie Sie mit Picasso & Co. ein Vermögen aufbauen
(2020; Franziska Ida Neumann)
Neumann offers a sharp, insider’s look at the „parallel universe“ of art investing, skillfully balancing the allure of building a fortune with a realistic warning about the market’s hidden pitfalls.
Modern Art: Art Essentials Series
(2018; Amy Dempsey)
Amy Dempsey provides a vibrant and accessible chronological guide that deciphers the radical movements and key figures of modernism, making the evolution of 20th-century art easy to navigate for any reader.
Duveen – The Story of The Most Spectacular Art Dealer of All Time
(2014; S.N. Behrman)
S.N. Behrman presents a sparkling, witty portrait of Joseph Duveen, the legendary dealer who famously enriched his own pockets by convincing America’s Gilded Age billionaires that they couldn’t live without Europe’s Old Masters.
Online Courses
The Contemporary Art World: Theory and Structure
(By Christie’s Education)
This course outlines the relationship between art theory and the global market’s commercial framework, providing a clear map of how value is created within the industry.
Art Market Economics
(By Christie’s Education)
This course, written and presented by Dr Clare McAndrew, analyzes the financial mechanics of the art market, focusing on how supply, demand, and economic cycles influence the valuation and trading of artworks.
Podcasts
The Art Angle
[Episodes in English]
Artnet News‘ weekly podcast examines the intersection of the art world and current events, analyzing how major news stories impact the market and culture.
The Week in Art
[Episodes in English]
Produced by The Art Newspaper, this podcast delivers in-depth analysis of the week’s top stories, featuring interviews with artists, curators, and industry experts.
Augen zu
[Episodes in German]
This German-language podcast by Die Zeit features conversational deep dives into the lives and works of iconic artists, making art history accessible through a modern lens.
Was mit Kunst
[Episodes in German/English]
In this podcast, gallerist Johann König interviews various figures from the art scene to provide a look behind the scenes of the market and creative work.
Films
The Price of Everything
[2018 Documentation/Drama]
This documentary offers a provocative look at the high-stakes contemporary art market, exploring the tension between the intrinsic value of creativity and the astronomical price tags driven by collectors and speculators.
Velvet Buzzsaw
[2019 Horror/Comedy]
This satirical thriller follows a feared critic, a cold-hearted gallerist, and an ambitious assistant who discover a cache of paintings by a deceased artist, only to find that the artworks possess a supernatural—and deadly—force of their own.
