Why Buy From Hidden

We know that buying artwork can seem daunting, especially if you're a first time buyer. With over 30 years' experience in buying and selling rare artworks on paper, Hidden Gallery has garnered a well-deserved reputation as a leader in the field of art bought for pleasure and investment. Using our knowledge and expertise in the field, we carefully collate the best work from renowned artists of the 20th and 21st century, overseeing its authenticity and condition; two crucial factors that you need to know before investing thousands of pounds! We treat your money as if it was our own, and if that wasn't enough, the following guide explores the 'Hidden' value we bring to the process of buying art.

Why is now a good time to be buying Art?

Despite a backdrop of wider economic uncertainty and stock market wobbles, the art market has continued to perform solidly. The demand for prints and editions is stronger than ever, with record prices regularly achieved at auction.

In Deloitte’s Art & Finance Report (2019), 72% of wealth managers surveyed confirmed that they now operated art-related services for their clients, and that 81% of their clients had requested such services.

Our own client base, revenues and stockholding continue to demonstrate exceptional growth, with increases in revenues beyond 50% year on year since 2019.

In recent years a number of high-profile exhibitions have been held in the UK that have put works on paper front and centre, including a blockbuster exhibition of Picasso works at the Royal Academy. At the more contemporary end of the market, Bridget Riley's editions have experienced phenomenal growth. Ten years ago her dazzling screenprint "Firebird" could be had for four figures, but it now regularly exceeds £30,000 at auction. David Hockney's iconic "Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink" has seen its value triple since 2017.

This continuing public focus and regular press coverage only serves to stimulate demand from new entrants, keen to own a slice of history that is also an affordable and tangible investment. How much more enjoyable is it to talk to dinner guests about your investments when they are in the form of a Picasso hung above the mantelpiece?
The Risks of the DIY Approach

Although you may make a saving by going DIY, as a collector, you ought to seriously consider the greater cost of getting it wrong - a mistake that could cost you thousands of pounds. Therefore, it’s worth considering the value that Hidden Gallery brings to the process, a value that translates into one of the most precious commodities: peace of mind.

Imagine buying a print for £50,000 then finding out years down the line that the signature was faked. What if the signature is genuine but the print itself is counterfeit? Salvador Dali is estimated to have signed at least 40,000 blank sheets of paper in the 1970s that were snapped up by unscrupulous publishers in the 80s to create countless forgeries. As a collector, how can you be certain that you’re getting a genuine original print by the iconic surrealist and not a knock-off?

Even an image that has faded ever so slightly will struggle to find a future buyer. Many of Chagall’s radiant lithographs have faded dramatically – or even changed colour entirely – from exposure to sunlight in the decades since they were made. How can you be certain that you are buying an impression that is still as rich and luminous as the day it was run through the press in the Atelier Mourlot?

On top of that, a print with its margins trimmed even a little will find its value reduced significantly. It’s astonishing just how many artworks have been altered in this way to fit an owner’s preferred frame. Even a couple of millimetres can have catastrophic effects on the value of a piece.
Without expertise a collector might not pick up on these issues. If you’ve been unlucky enough to buy a problem artwork at auction, you should be aware that 'caveat emptor' applies and you are very unlikely to get your money back. Nor is your investment protected if you happen to miss the line in the condition report that mentions the work has been glued to a backing board or has more ripples in it than the ocean!

Buying from a reputable dealer or online gallery is one way to avoid these pitfalls. However, even then you need to exercise caution. Do they have true expertise and a proven track record? Is there somewhere you can visit to raise a concern (an increasing issue with online only galleries) and an actual human they can speak to? Perhaps most importantly, will they be around in five years’ time when you might come to sell the work or require a new valuation or option for consignment?
Taking all these risks into consideration, Hidden Gallery, with its expertise and scale, can offer you ongoing support, security and peace of mind. Our prices, whilst a little more than work sold at auction houses, private dealers and online platforms, reflect the resources and expertise that go into every piece of work we sell. Take a look at our buying process below - it is why we believe it's worth paying a little bit extra to invest in art with Hidden Gallery.
The Hidden Process
From start to finish
How we choose what to buy

Now that you know our process, here is a little insight to what we consider when sourcing artwork
Artists

We've had great success with our investments by sticking to a set of guiding principles that enable us to focus only on work that we believe to be both aesthetically and financially sound. Even a short glance at our website will make it obvious that as a result our focus falls chiefly upon the great artists of the 20th & 21st centuries.

We generally only offer work by pre-eminent masters of their craft or genre. These tend to be household names with established track records of value growth and considerable potential for further growth. This means that when the time comes to resell the work, there will be a ready international market.

Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Damien Hirst, Salvador Dali, Banksy, David Hockney and Andy Warhol – to name but a few – are names that are recognised the world over and have taken their place in the pantheon of the greats, which is why you’ll find them all under our roof.
Artwork

The 'Original Print' sector is characterised by its relatively low cost of entry and its diversity. We do not restrict ourselves to a particular style or price. We avoid specialist or niche areas and don't invest in the 'next big thing'. We don't gamble with our own money and won't recommend you do so with yours. If the work is of good quality, has solid growth potential and is affordable we'll add it to our inventory. We tend to offer works in the range of £3,000 - £30,000, although we also sell works on either side of this range.

We select pieces that are typical of an artist's body of work. The more recognisable an artwork is, the broader the market will be when it comes to finding a future buyer. We carefully select exceptional examples that will not only look stunning on your walls but will offer long-term security and liquidity. A Dove of Peace by Picasso will always be iconic, as will a Soup Can by Warhol.

When we are selecting artists we consider their longevity and historical importance, asking ourselves whether they will still be a household name in twenty years’ time and whether their place in the market is assured.
We also consider practical factors such as age, condition and rarity. We've set out some of the most pertinent issues below:
We are extremely selective about the works we sell. Examining more than ten thousand artworks a year across hundreds of auctions, we rule out at least 99% of them before we even place a bid. As one of our collectors, be rest assured that when you visit Hidden you are only looking at the very best of what is available at this level.
Start buying from Hidden

At Hidden we pride ourselves on offering a friendly, welcoming and non-intimidating entry to a dynamic market. We are all lovers of art who believe wholeheartedly in the integrity of what we offer. We are always happy to answer whatever questions you may have and will stand shoulder-shoulder with you as you build your collection, and beyond.

We have four physical galleries across the country and are always delighted to welcome visitors without an appointment. To make buying art accessible to all, we also offer interest-free instalment plans where you can spread the cost over 12 months.

Whether you’re just starting out or are already the owner of an extensive collection, we’re delighted to offer our expertise and assistance. If it’s a consultation you’re looking for or a home approval, we can accommodate most requests!