Roberto Colantonio's Book on Contemporary Art Collecting

Roberto Colantonio's 'Il collezionista d’arte contemporanea. Iniziare, valorizzare, gestire una collezione' (Iemme Edizioni, 2018) offers a practical guide to art collecting, focusing on the structural and legal aspects rather than poetic inspiration. The book emphasizes the need for collectors to build a solid foundation of knowledge, discipline, and market awareness to avoid pitfalls. It draws parallels between collecting and athletic or professional training, stressing that passion must be supported by rigorous preparation. Colantonio argues that collectors are not mere buyers but active cultural actors who can shape artistic careers and movements, citing Marcello Rumma's role in launching Arte Povera. The volume covers topics such as investment strategies, risk management, contracts, and the importance of continuous education. It aims to help collectors protect their investments while contributing to the broader cultural ecosystem. The preface by Lucrezia Longobardi highlights the collector's duty as a guardian of artworks, akin to a knight in a larger order. The book is positioned as a unique resource that synthesizes hard-earned lessons from experienced collectors.