Seven Books Decode the Art Market's Inner Workings
A review of seven Italian-language books published in 2019 offers a deep dive into the opaque art market. Casimiro Porro's memoir traces his tenure at Finarte (1959-2001), using auction results as a rare transparent window. Ludovico Pratesi updates his collector's manual with a new edition reflecting rapid market changes. Georgina Adam's exposé on the art market's dark side, including China's awakening, is praised for its engaging style. Alessia Zorloni's data-rich volume on private museums covers collector profiles, geographic distribution, and legal-financial aspects. Angela Madesani reveals the epistolary history of collector Quinto Gregotti, who commissioned artists like Fernand Léger for textile designs. Harry Bellet argues that forgery always harms artists, not just collectors. Alan Jones's biography of Leo Castelli highlights his role in globalizing art through Pop Art's 1964 Venice Biennale triumph.
Key facts
- Casimiro Porro co-founded Finarte in 1959 and was president until 2001.
- Porro's book includes interviews with collectors Mario Scaglia, Guido Rossi, Giuseppe Iannaccone, and Francesco Micheli.
- Ludovico Pratesi's updated collector's manual was originally published in 2010.
- Georgina Adam is an editorialist for Financial Times and The Art Newspaper.
- Alessia Zorloni's book features interviews by Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo.
- Quinto Gregotti (1896-1976) was an engineer, textile entrepreneur, and collector.
- Gregotti commissioned Fernand Léger, Atanasio Soldati, and Nino Di Salvatore for textile designs in the early 1950s.
- Leo Castelli (1907-1999) was instrumental in the 1964 Pop Art conquest of the Venice Biennale.
- The biography of Leo Castelli includes an introduction by Gillo Dorfles.
- All books were published in 2019 by Italian publishers: Skira, Castelvecchi, Johan & Levi, Egea, Nomos.
Entities
Artists
- Casimiro Porro
- Mario Scaglia
- Guido Rossi
- Giuseppe Iannaccone
- Francesco Micheli
- Ludovico Pratesi
- Georgina Adam
- Alessia Zorloni
- Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
- Angela Madesani
- Quinto Gregotti
- Fernand Léger
- Atanasio Soldati
- Nino Di Salvatore
- Harry Bellet
- Alan Jones
- Leo Castelli
- Ileana Sonnabend
- Gillo Dorfles
- Marco Enrico Giacomelli
Institutions
- Finarte
- Skira
- Castelvecchi
- Johan & Levi
- Egea
- Nomos
- Financial Times
- The Art Newspaper
- Le Monde
- Artribune
- Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Milano
- Italy
- Roma
- Monza
- Busto Arsizio
- Trieste
- Paris
- New York
- China
- United States
- Venice