Italian Photography Auction Market Faces Growing Pains

The Italian photography auction market is expanding rapidly, closing the gap with European and American counterparts, but this growth has sparked tensions. While Italian photographers were long absent from international auctions, domestic auction houses have stepped in to promote them with respectable results. However, low estimates—common in all auction sectors—are causing concern among some artists and gallerists, who fear they may devalue work. Marica Rossetti, photography expert at Minerva Auctions-Finarte, notes that many gallerists actively discourage photographers from participating in auctions and send official letters to enforce gallery list prices. Giovanni Carabalone of Maison Bibelot argues that photographers should welcome inclusion alongside international names, as low estimates are a starting point for bidding and eventual price growth. He stresses that entering collectors' homes and being placed next to historicized authors is the key to recognition, especially in countries where photography is already a consolidated art form and investment sector. The article, by Silvia Berselli on Artribune, highlights the divide between those who see auction exposure as a path to international visibility and those who view low estimates as a stigma.